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Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi today (16 September) announced that the agency-led Task Force on Energy Resiliency (TFER) is now on full swing to assess the damage incurred and to respond to the energy needs of the areas hit by Typhoon Ompong.
According to Sec. Cusi, the energy family mobilized its personnel to do a thorough assessment of the power and oil facilities affected by Typhoon Ompong.
Earlier, the DOE chief announced that immediate power restoration efforts are aimed at government institutions, particularly those involved in emergency response such as barangay halls and city centers, hospitals, evacuation centers, and other vital installations in the affected areas.
Based on the 12:00 noon report of the TFER:
On power generation, the National Power Corporation (NPC)-Small Power Utilities Group (SPUG) reported that the diesel power plant (DPP) in Sabtang Island in Batanes incurred no damage and was restored at 8:39 a.m. today after line clearing of the Batanes Electric Cooperative (BATANELCO).
NPC-SPUG also reported that there are no operations on the following DPPs due to assessment, clearing and restoration activities: Cagayan and Apayao area (Calayan, Minabel & Balatubat, and Kabugao); Isabela and Aurora area (Palanan, Maconacon, and Casiguran).
NPC’s dam update indicates that water spilling operations were still on-going at the Ambuklao Dam with water level at 751.25 meters above sea level (masl) against normal high water level (NHWL) of 752masl, the Binga Dam with 574.83 masl vs. NHWL of 575masl, the Magat dam with 186.5 masl vs. NHWL of 193masl, the Maris dam with 103.22 masl vs. NHWL of 107.75 masl, and the San Roque dam with 287.15 masl vs. NHWL of 280 masl. Meanwhile, the Angat water reservoir has not opened its spill gates.
NPC makes certain that said discharges will not cause flooding in the flood warning zones, and are being most carefully conducted to maintain normal water levels in the reservoirs.
For the transmission sector, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) reported that it restored 78% of affected transmission lines in Regions I, II and CAR. On-going restoration for the remaining 32% which services Abra, Apayao, Cagayan, Kalinga, Mt. Province, and parts of Isabela.
For the distribution sector, the National Electrification Administration reported that as of 8:00 a.m. Sunday, a total of 23 electric cooperatives experienced line trippings and damaged distribution facilities across Luzon. Initial estimated cost of damage on electric cooperatives alone was at PhP100,600,000.00.
The regions being served by the following electric cooperatives (ECs) are affected:
*ECs ongoing restoration:
• Region I (5 ECs): INEC (Ilocos Norte), ISECO (Ilocos Sur), LUELCO (parts of La Union), PANELCO I and III (parts of Pangasinan)
• Region II (7 ECs): BATANELCO (parts of Batanes), CAGELCO I and II (Cagayan), ISELCO I and II (parts of Isabela), NUVELCO (Nueva Vizcaya) and QUIRELCO (Quirino Province)
• CAR (5 ECs): BENECO (Benguet), MOPRECO (Mt. Province), ABRECO (Abra), KAELCO (Kalinga-Apayao) and IFELCO (Ifugao)
*ECs are Restored:
• Region III (4 ECs): AURELCO (Aurora), ZAMECO I (Zambales), NEECO II-Area 1 and 2 (parts of Nueva Ecija) and TARELCO I (Tarlac).
• Region IV-A (2 EC): BATELEC II (Batangas) and FLECO (Laguna)
With existing EC resources such as personnel, available supply and materials, the following timeline is possible specially for INEC and CAGELCO II:
• Government and commercial centers within seven (7) days
• Main line within seven (7) days
• 80% of HH within three (3) weeks
• 100% of HH within one (1) month
• With minimal damage to the EC's distribution system in three-five (3-5) days period everything is restored
Under the areas served by the Manila Electric Company (MERALCO), all circuit level outages are already restored.
MERALCO reported that around 15,000 to 20,000 customers or 0.23% to 0.30% of its total customers are already undergoing restoration, mostly on service drop or household levels within the franchise area.
For the downstream oil sector, the DOE- Oil Industry Management Bureau’s states that based on its monitoring of the oil companies, there is sufficient supply of petroleum products, with stocks ranging from 2 to 15 days, depending on the area.
The DOE calls on oil industry dealers in flooded areas, or those who lack supply to report their status to OIMB Director Rino Abad at 09177057754 and OIMB Asst. Dir. Rodela Romero at 09175560750.
For the implementation of price freeze, Cagayan province has already declared a State of Calamity. The declaration triggered the price freeze on household LPG and kerosene products which will be enforced for 15 days upon said announcement.
The DOE reminds the public to take extra precautionary measures in dealing with electrical appliances and components (wirings, sockets and downed posts, among others) to protect themselves from electrical hazards like electric shock or short circuit.
“The public’s safety and security is our primary concern. Let us all be vigilant and aware of what is happening in our surroundings. Let us all do our part in keeping ourselves and our loved ones safe,” Sec. Cusi concluded.
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.
