Photos courtesy of FICELCO
Thirteen (13) teams from 14 electric cooperatives in Northern Mindanao and Caraga regions are now helping First Catanduanes Electric Cooperative, Inc. (FICELCO) restore damaged distribution lines in the province.
This favorable development came after the island cooperative estimated the damage to its distribution lines at a staggering P69 million, with two-thirds of the cost allocated for materials such as posts and wirings.
The power lines in Pandan, which bore the brunt of super typhoon Uwan’s 185-230 kph winds, sustained the heaviest damage at P33 million, or nearly half the total.
The contingents sent by the National Electrification Administration (NEA) and the Philippine Rural Electric Cooperatives Association (PhilRECA) arrived last week after a long and tiring sea-land trip, with FICELCO General Manager Francis A. Gianan briefing the team leaders of the 14 co-ops prior to their deployment to their assigned towns.
Those from Region 10’s Northern Mindanao Electric Cooperatives Association (NORMECA) are teams from Bukidnon II Electric Cooperative, Inc. (BUSECO); Camiguin Electric Cooperative, Inc. (CAMELCO); First Bukidnon Electric Cooperative, Inc. (FIBECO); Lanao Electric Cooperative, Inc. (LANECO); Misamis Occidental I Electric Cooperative, Inc. (MOELCI I); Misamis Occidental II Electric Cooperative, Inc. (MOELCI II); Misamis Oriental I Rural Electric Service Cooperative, Inc. (MORESCO I); and Misamis Oriental II Rural Electric Service Cooperative, Inc. (MORESCO II).
On the other hand, representing Region 13’s Association of Caraga Electric Cooperatives, Inc. (CARAGA – ACEC) are Agusan Del Norte Electric Cooperative, Inc. (ANECO); Agusan Del Sur Electric Cooperative, Inc. (ASELCO); Surigao Del Norte Electric Cooperative, Inc. (SURNECO); Surigao Del Sur I Electric Cooperative, Inc. (SURSECO I); Surigao Del Sur II Electric Cooperative, Inc. (SURSECO II); and Siargao Electric Cooperative, Inc. (SIARELCO).
CAMELCO has teamed up with MORESCO II in the power restoration effort, a report from FICELCO stated.
BUSECO, CAMELCO, MOELCI I, MOELCI II, MORESCO I and MORESCO II are assigned in Viga, Panganiban and Bato while FIBECO is helping in the effort in Bato and San Miguel, with LANECO in Bato, Baras and Gigmoto.
On the other hand, the CARAGA teams have been deployed to San Andres, Caramoran and Pandan, with crews from FICELCO busy working until nightfall in other areas of the grid.
Last week, Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Sharon S. Garin, together with NEA Administrator Almeda, PHILRECA GM Depay-Colingan, and DOE-EPIMB Director Luningning G. Baltazar visited FICELCO to oversee the immediate restoration efforts, with particular focus on the northern part of Catanduanes, which sustained heavy damage from the typhoon.