TYPHOON OMPONG ADVISORY 6

15 September 2018

Moments after the Press Briefing on the Disaster Response to Typhoon Ompong yesterday, Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi continues to rally the DOE-led Task Force on Energy Resiliency (TFER) as round-the-clock operations push through.

"The entire energy family is all hands on deck with our resiliency operations. Accurate and real-time information on the ground has been vital in our development of a faster and efficient response which would allow us to restore power at the soonest possible time," he said.

The Energy Chief also added that bringing back power in crucial establishments like government buildings, hospitals and law  enforcement stations is a priority to ensure continued services to the public.

Per the latest TFER report:

1. For the power generation sector, as of 4:00PM yesterday (15 September) , the National Power Corporation – Small Power Utilities Group (NPC-SPUG) Plants servicing the areas of Sabtang in Batanes Island; Calayan, Minabel & Balatubat and Kabugao in the provinces of Cagayan and Apayao; and Palanan and Maconacon in the Isabela and Aurora provinces powered by diesel power plants (DPP) are not operational.

On the other hand, DPPs of Basco and Itbayat of Batanes Island are fully operational, while operations of the DPP serving Casiguran have been restored.

Water spilling operations continued in the Ambuklao Dam with a current water level of 753.02 meter above sea level (masl), above its Normal High Water Level of 752masl, the Binga Dam in Itogon, Benguet with water levels of 577.36 masl, which is above the Normal High Water Level of 575masl, and the San Roque Dam in Pangasinan with water levels at  287.28 masl.

2. On the transmission side, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines reported that as of 12:00PM yesterday (15 September) , a total of 50 transmission lines went-off. 44 of which are located in North Luzon, 5 in South Luzon and 1 in the Visayas Region.

For Luzon, the affected transmission lines are in areas being served by ISELCO I (Isabela), ISELCO II(Isabela), CAGELCO I (Cagayan), CAGELCO II (Cagayan), IFLECO (Ifugao), KAELCO (Kalinga), CENPELCO (Central Pangasinan), BENECO (Benguet), INEC (Ilocos Norte), LUELCO (La Union), ISECO (Ilocos Sur), NUVELCO (Nueva Vizcaya) , NEECO II (Nueva Ecija), AURELCO (Aurora) and PENELCO (Bataan).

In South Luzon, transmission lines in BATELEC (Batangas) and QUEZELCO II (Quezon) were affected.

For the Visayas, the transmission lines for BOHECO (Bohol) were affected.

NGCP line crews are on standby to undertake inspection and restoration of lines in full swing as soon as it is determined safe to restore power.

Normal power restoration services are underway in Ilocos Norte, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Aurora, Bataan, Nueva Ecija, Pamapanga, Tarlac, Zambales and Benguet.

Power services are partially restored in Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan and Batangas are ongoing.

Provinces of Cagayan, Isabela, Abra, and Kalinga-Apayao are currently unavailable.

3. For the distribution sector, the  National Electrification Administration reported that as of 8:00AM yesterday (15 September), a total of 21 electric cooperatives experienced line tripping in Regions I, II, III, CAR, IV-A.

The areas being served by the following electric cooperatives (ECs) are affected:

  • Region I (5 ECs): INEC (Ilocos Norte), ISECO (Ilocos Sur), LUELCO (La Union), PANELCO I (Pangasinan I, except Alaminos and Mabini which have been fully energized), PANELCO III (PangasinanIII)
  • Region II (7 ECs): BATANELCO (Batanes), CAGELCO I (Cagayan I), CAGELCO II (Cagayan II), ISELCO I (Isabela I), ISELCO II (Isabela II), NUVELCO (Nueva Vizcaya), QUIRELCO (Quirino)
  • CAR (5 ECs): BENECO (Benguet), MOPRECO (Mt. Province), ABRECO (Abra), KAELCO (Kalinga Apayao), IFELCO (Ifugao)
  • Region III (3 ECs): AURELCO (Aurora), ZAMECO I (Zambales I), ZAMECO II (Zambales II)
  • Region IV-A (1 EC): FLECO (First Laguna)

4. Oil companies have reported sufficient oil and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) supplies. Companies are undertaking assessments of damage to their stations.

Unaffected stations will remain open and continue to serve its customers due to sufficient stocks.

The DOE would like to advise the public to stay indoors until the inclement weather has subsided. Strong winds and flooding may still be present in your area.

While power restoration is our priority, we also value the safety and security of our personnel on the ground. We commend the brave men and women within the energy family as well as those in government service who have given time away from their families in order to serve the Filipino people.

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