Energy dept reports 80 percent of ‘Nina’-hit areas energized

MANILA—The Energy Department has reported that 80.69 percent or 1.36 million households under certain electric cooperatives were already energized on Thursday morning.

“We understand and are one with our ‘kababayans’ (compatriots) in the remaining areas still without power. We will make sure that electricity services in all areas are restored,” Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said in a statement.

Citing reports from the National Electrification Administration, the department said 322,818 households in provinces that were along the path of Typhoon Nina, were still on outage Thursday — Quezon (92.89 percent), Oriental Mindoro (98.44 percent), Marinduque (28.79 percent), Camarines Sur (47.68 percent), Albay (64.20 percent), and Catanduanes (31.65 percent).

Meanwhile, the department pointed out that the distribution utilities in Dinagat Islands, Siargao, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur affected by Tropical Depression Auring have been conducting repair work following the restoration of transmission lines in the areas by the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines.

“Our priority is to ensure that the restoration of power in typhoon-affected areas is on schedule. We have asked rehabilitation personnel to work double-time, especially in areas where power facilities were badly damaged,” Cusi added.