SURNECO targets to restore power by 6 p.m. Saturday—DOE

MANILA –The Energy Department said Surigao Del Norte Cooperatives Inc. targets to restore power by 6 p.m. Saturday, following the scheduled maintenance of power-grid operator National Grid Corp. of the Philippines and the minimal damage sustained by SURNECO facilities incurred by the magnitude 6.7 earthquake.

The department said in a statement that 90 percent of SURNECO’s franchise area would be energized as the damage to its distribution facilities was minimal.

NGCP feeders, meanwhile, are online, having no major damage.

NGCP and SURNECO initially cut power in Surigao City and the municipalities of San Francisco, Malimono, Sison and Taganaan.

It stressed SURNECO is clearing and repairing power lines, while NGCP was tapped to do maintenance works.

However, the department said the restoration of power Saturday in Malimono and San Francisco remained uncertain due to the inaccessibility of the areas brought by two damaged bridges.

The department also said SURNECO declared total damage in its headquarters facilities.

It assured it will monitor developments on the power situation.