(Taguig City). After the completion of the power restoration in areas affected by Tropical Depression Urduja at the barangay level on Christmas Day, the Department of Energy (DOE) is now mobilizing all its resources to restore energy in areas affected by tropical storm Vinta.

“Our personnel and staff will continue working during the Christmas break to rehabilitate affected energy facilities, and to coordinate, monitor and report the developments for easy and fast mobilization of assets in places that need assistance,” Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said.

“I would like to commend them for braving the storm and sacrificing their holidays just to ensure that energy is safe, accessible and reliable, and it’s no easy task,” he added.

The energy chief urged the public to "ensure safety first amidst all these natural calamities and to report to the nearest authority any problem they may encounter. For energy concerns, they may contact us at 4792900 or email us at info@doe.gov.ph.”

Based on the consolidated report of the DOE and its attached agencies, the National Power Corporation (NPC) stated that there was no damage on all of its energy power plants/lines in areas affected by Vinta.

All compromised transmission facilities were already restored at 2:10 p.m. of 24 December as reported by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP).

For its part, the National Electrification Administration (NEA) reported that nine (9) electric cooperatives were severely affected by Vinta, resulting in power interruption in some towns in their franchise areas.

Distribution utilities/electric cooperatives and towns still under restoration are the following:

• Lanao del Sur Electric Cooperative (LASURECO) – portions of Marawi City, Piagapo, Madalum, Madamba, Ganassi, Pualas, Pagayawan, and Tuburan;

• Surigao del Sur II Electric Cooperative (SURSECO II) –San Miguel, Cagwait, Bayabas, Marigatag and Portions of Tago;

• Davao del Norte (DANECO) - portions of Asuncion and New Corella;

• Lanao del Norte Electric Cooperative (LANECO) –portions of Baloi, Matungao, Tubod, and Salvador, Munai, and Tangkal;

• Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative (ZANECO) –total blackout

• Zamboanga del Sur II Electric Cooperative (ZAMSURECO II) –Sirawi, Siocon, Baliguian, and Portions of Titay;

• Agusan del Sur Electric Cooperative (ASELCO) –portions of Veruela, Bunawan, Loreto, San Luis, La Paz, Talacogon, Sibagat, San Francisco, and Rosario;

• Misamis Oriental-I Rural Electric Service Cooperative (MORESCO I) –Talakag and Portions of Cagayan de Oro City but expected completion by today;

• Palawan Electric Cooperative (PALECO) –Brooke’s Point, Narra and Aborlan;

For the private distribution utilities, Davao Light and Power Co. (DLPC),

Cagayan Electric Power & Light Co., Inc. (CEPALCO) and Iligan Light and Power, Inc., their engineers reported that some households are still without power due to the dampened outlets and wiring caused by the rain and the flood waters.

Flooding, landslides and downed infrastructures like bridges generally make the restoration of the affected power facilities more difficult. Nonetheless, the DOE is targeting its completion within the week.

The DOE also reminded oil industry players to observe the price freeze in areas placed under a state of calamity. The DOE-Oil Industry Management Bureau and DOE- Field Offices, together with the Department of Trade and Industry, are monitoring the prices of household LPG and kerosene in Biliran and Davao.

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