BAYANIHAN: First Catanduanes Electric Cooperative (FICELCO) General Manager Raul V. Zafe explains the critical role of bayanihan, especially the participation of member consumers and Task Force Kapatid's assistance, in the energization of Catanduanes during the press conference held in E-Crown Hotel and Restaurant, San Vicente, Virac, Catanduanes on 29 November 2020 of members of Task Force on Energy Resiliency (Department of Energy, National Electrification Administration and National Power Corporation).
CATANDUANES - Over the holiday weekend, the Department of Energy (DOE) proceeded to Catanduanes to assess the extent of damages caused by Super Typhoon (ST) Rolly, as part of Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi's directive to exert all efforts to assist the energy family in fully restoring power in the Bicol region at the soonest possible time.
The province of Catanduanes is among the most affected and heavily damaged of all the areas in ST Rolly's path.
"With other areas slowly getting back on their feet, we must double our efforts in assisting those that need more help, particularly the Catanduanes province. The First Catanduanes Electric Cooperative or FICELCO urgently needs our full support, and we are thankful that the entire energy family remains up to the task of lighting up all affected households," Secretary Cusi expressed.
Energy Undersecretary Felix William B. Fuentebella, together with National Electrification Administration (NEA) Deputy Administrator Artis Nikki Tortola and National Power Corporation Vice President Rogel Teves led the assessment activities and discussions with concerned stakeholders on power restoration strategies.
Undersecretary Fuentebella and NEA Deputy Administrator Tortola visited Catanduanes Governor Cua to brief him on the actions being taken by the energy family, specifically the support of electric cooperatives that are part of NEA's Task Force Kapatid. Governor Cua expressed his gratitude to the energy family.
ROLLY'S GROUND ZERO
NPC Vice President Teves reported that power generation facilities in the province are ready to dispatch power as long as they are cleared by the distribution utilities, noting that the northern part of Catanduanes already have power, with demand reaching up to two megawatts.
He added that Balongbong Hydro Power Plant is getting ready to provide additional power supply, and that the 69-kilovolt transmission line is ready to deliver power.
NEA Deputy Administrator Tortola, on the other hand, explained that the Task Force Kapatid has greatly augmented the restoration forces of FICELCO. According to the Deputy Administrator, FICELCO, in partnership with the Philippine Electric Cooperatives Association (PHILRECA), has managed to speed up the restoration in the affected areas.
FICELCO General Manager Raul V. Zafe reported that almost 39 electric cooperatives with 322 personnel are already on the ground to help in the power restoration activities. To date, the level of energization stands at 20.21%, with the Gigmoto, and San Miguel areas still needing to be energized.
Undersecretary Fuentebella stated that the energization of Catanduanes has been ramping up given the strategies that are currently being implemented.
"The energy family will continue looking into more comprehensive strategies to assist Catanduanes in building back better," Undersecretary Fuentebella said.
###