(Taguig City). The Department of Energy (DOE) is moving fast to rehabilitate energy facilities and to normalize power supply in areas affected by tropical depression 'Urduja'. 

“We are doing all that we can to bring back to normalcy the energy situation and secure fuel and power supplies in the typhoon-stricken areas, especially that Christmas is fast approaching. We want our people to enjoy the holiday season with renewed hope after this unfortunate weather disturbance,” Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi said.

The energy chief said the DOE would be monitoring the situation in typhoon-affected areas even during the holidays to ensure that people have ample and secure energy supply.

Based on the consolidated reports from the National Power Corporation (NPC), National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), National Electrification Administration (NEA) and the various electric cooperatives, TD Urduja restoration updates are as follows:

For power supply in Visayas, the province of Biliran now has 93 barangays energized out of 117 total barangays affected in seven towns, namely; Biliran (11/11brgys), Cabucgayan (13/13), Caibiran (17/17), Naval (20/26), Culaba (13/17), Almeria (7/13) and Kawayan (12/20). All town centers were also energized. The remaining unenergized barangays (24) will have restored power supply before Christmas.

In the province of Leyte, the most affected electric cooperatives are Don Orestes Romualdez Electric Cooperative (DORELCO) and Leyte III and V Electric Cooperatives (LEYCO III & V). LEYECO III is now 96% energized at the barangay level, while DORELCO is at 92% energization. In LEYECO V, the remaining barangays to be energized per municipality are Ormoc (2 brgys), Merida (1), Palompon (2), Villaba (7), Tabango (5), Leyte (5), Matag'ob (3), San Isidro (4) and Calubian (38).

Eastern Samar Electric Cooperative, Inc. has only the town of Maslog remaining unenergized.

For Luzon provinces, Quezon I Electric Cooperative (QUEZELCO I) is now 88.81% restored and expecting complete restoration today (22 Dec.)

In Palawan, the Palawan Electric Cooperative has ongoing restoration in Brookes Point and Bataraza, which were affected by landslide. Under the Busuanga Island Electric Cooperative, rehabilitation of power facilities is now at 75.21% energized, but expects completion within the day.

In Masbate, the most affected town of Esperanza was energized at around 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, and the DMCI Satellite plant in Aroroy is currently serving the Municipality of Mandaon and portion of Aroroy.

All other cities/municipalities affected by the weather disturbance in previous reports are now 100% energized.

For oil supply situation, technical staff of the Oil Industry Management Bureau (OIMB) conducted an onsite inspection in Naval, Biliran. The technical staff monitored five (5) stations: Petron (2), Phoenix (1), Shell (1) and an independent player.

Based on the inspection, the oil supply is generally normal and prices remained unchanged, but a Shell station added 1.00 per liter to diesel and gasoline prices due to power generation cost because of a 4-day power outage and went back to normal prices after the typhoon.

In Leyte, the arrival of two (2) tankers from Shell of Tacloban depot and four (4) tankers of Petron from Ormoc depot normalized the oil situation after peddlers of “bote-bote” took advantage of the situation by selling petroleum products from PhP41.00 to PhP150 per liter. In addition, the DOE-Visayas Field Office staff reported that the operation of Petron depot in Ormoc is back to normal and supply is sufficient.

Although the road to Naval is not yet cleared, an alternate route is being used by trucks to supply retail stations in Biliran.

In addition, the DOE’s line is open for any energy-related concern, just contact the Consumer Welfare and Promotion Office at tel. no. ‎‎429 2900 local 329 or email info@doe.gov.ph.

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