Based on the National Electrification Administration (NEA)’s monitoring, Typhoon Nando left 649,808 households in 52 provinces and 12 regions without electricity, while the Magnitude 6.9 earthquake in Cebu rendered 819,843 consumer connections powerless across 10 provinces and four regions. PARE noted that while linemen risk their lives to restore power, many ECs remain inadequately equipped and lack long-term disaster-readiness.
“Our ‘warriors of light’—our linemen—face floods, strong rain and wind, fallen poles, and dangerous live wires just to bring back light and safety to Filipino homes,” said Nic Satur Jr., Chief Advocate Officer of PARE. “But courage alone is not enough. ECs and government regulators must protect our lineworkers through proactive preparation, not post-disaster improvisation.”
PARE urged ECs and agencies covered under Republic Act No. 11039 or the Electric Cooperatives Emergency and Resiliency Fund Act (ECERF) to comply strictly with resiliency and preparedness mandates. Under the law, ECs must regularly submit vulnerability assessments, resiliency compliance plans, and emergency response plans to the NEA to qualify for disaster funding and ensure readiness before calamities strike.
The group outlined five urgent steps to build a smarter, safer, and more resilient power sector:
Proactive Disaster Planning: Regular emergency drills, sufficient stockpiles of spare parts, and pre-coordinated response routes with LGU, NEA and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDDRRMC).
Modern Safety Protocols for Linemen: Appropriate safety gears and equipments, advanced training, and recognition as first responders with access to health, insurance, and family support.
Infrastructure Upgrades: Replacement of old and dilapidated poles and overhead lines with climate-proof cables, buried lines, and fortified substations and transformers.
Transparency and Accountability: Public disclosure of restoration spending , funding and timelines to uphold consumer trust and ensure equitable use of funds.
Stronger Support from Government and Regulators: Enforcement of minimum disaster-preparedness standards and regular audits from the NEA, DOE, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDDRRMC) and ERC to guarantee the safety of both energy workers and consumers.
“Safety should never be negotiable,” Satur added. “When our linemen risk their lives for our communities, it becomes the duty of ECs and energy regulators to guarantee that every peso collected from consumers translates into real protection, reliable service, and transparency.”
PARE concluded that shifting from reactive to preventive EC is essential not only for protecting lives but also for keeping electricity affordable and stable. “Let’s not wait for another storm, earthquake, or disaster to teach us the same painful lesson,” said Satur. “Let’s protect our warriors of light before the next disaster strikes.”
PARE continues to advocate for affordable, reliable, and resilient energy through transparency, preparedness, and compassion-driven reform.
Ross is known as the Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas - An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Professional by profession and a Social Media Evangelist by heart.
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This is a very timely callout. Every time a major storm or quake happens, we end up watching the same cycle repeat — huge outages, heroic linemen working nonstop, and then afterward everyone talks about “lessons learned,” but long-term fixes rarely move forward. The shift to preventive planning instead of waiting for disasters really should have been standard years ago, especially now that climate events are getting stronger and more frequent.
ReplyDeleteA lot of ECs also get stuck in paperwork or outdated systems, so transparency and regular audits will help, not just for accountability but for public trust. If people can actually see where disaster funds go, they’re more likely to support resiliency upgrades.
The infrastructure side is the real key — burying lines in high-risk zones, using sturdier cable systems, and giving linemen proper equipment before the emergency happens. Preventive measures always cost less than rushed restoration after damage.
I’ve seen other sectors improve by upgrading their digital readiness and organization, similar to how tools like Open Source Manga Reading Platform
(like the one on https://tachiyomapk.com/) stay efficient by preparing structure and access before issues surface. When systems are built with resilience in mind, everything gets smoother during a crisis.
Hopefully this pushes cooperatives and regulators to act before the next storm, not after.