DOE Commits Immediate Restoration of Power in Typhoon Nina Hit Areas

Wazzup Pilipinas!

As super Typoon Nina made landfall in Catanduanes on Christmas Day, Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi instructed concerned units and agencies to immediately restore power facilities and supply to the damaged communities hit by the weather disturbance specifically in Southern Luzon and the Bicol Region.

“This is another superTyphoon, we’ve prepared for it and we are currently on the ground to assess the damage and quickly restore compromised energy facilities in each province,” relayed Sec. Cusi.

The Secretary added “The energy family is in full force in our disaster response. We’ve activated the Task Force Kapatid to augment affected distribution utilities’ assets for rehabilitation.”

Under the strong directive of the Secretary, DOE Usec. Felix William B. Fuentebella went earlier today (Dec. 26) to the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) overall command and monitoring center and the National Electrification Administration (NEA) to facilitate coordination on the rehabilitation efforts and set deadlines for the ground assessment of damaged energy facilities in details.

As agreed in the coordination meeting, “the DOE and its partners in the energy sector will deploy restoration teams for the speedy recovery of power to the affected towns and provinces,” Usec. Fuentebella reported.

In particular, the NGCP commenced its aerial technical inspection at 11:30 a.m. today following the typhoon track. By 6:00 p.m., the NGCP will report to the DOE, in detail, the status of the 230 kV lines- the main line connecting the electricity to Southern Luzon (Southern Tagalog and Bicol).

As of 11:00 a.m. (26 Dec.), NGCP reported that eleven (11) 69kV lines and its Daraga substation were currently down due to the superTyphoon affecting the provinces of Batangas, Quezon, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Albay and Sorsogon.

On the distribution side, NEA committed to come up with more details from the ground by 8:00 a.m. tomorrow (Dec. 27) and to deploy the restoration teams under its Task Force Kapatid.

Usec. Fuentebella reported that “The electric cooperatives will receive the power from NGCP once their respective loads through the distribution lines will be ready.”

Earlier, Manila Electric Company (MERALCO) volunteers and the linemen from other electric cooperatives and private investment-owned distribution utilities (PIOUs) committed their assistance to aid the hardly hit electric cooperatives and restore power.

Sec. Cusi calls on everyone to ensure safety in their communities while the energy family works to restore power during the holiday season.

"We will need everybody's cooperation to open the roads and clear the areas for our linemen to have access to the damaged lines and energy facilities. We are committed to restore power immediately," Cusi concluded.

#IAmSmart: I Use My Smartphone to Enjoy a Hassle-Free Christmas

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Christmas is that time of the year for family and friends to re-connect and celebrate the season's different festivities. However, the preparation can feel overwhelming, as there seems to be an endless list of things to do and never enough time to do them.

With the current state of traffic nowadays, both on the road, as well as the foot traffic in malls, restaurants, and almost every public place imaginable, it can be quite a challenge to even begin to imagine how you can get through your to-do list. Thanks to the convenience of technology, however, our smartphones can actually help us manage and deal with our Christmas preparation, all with a swipe, click, and tap of some apps. Smart shares some smart tips that can help you enjoy a hassle-free holiday.

For more #IAmSmart tips, go the Smart Communities Facebook page at facebook.com/SmartCommunities.

DOE Closely Monitors Effect of Typhoon Nina on Energy Assets

Wazzup Pilipinas!

As Typhoon Nina intensifies, the Department of Energy (DOE), its attached and partner agencies are ready to take action in the affected areas to ensure continuous energy supply and safety of the people.

Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi said, “The energy family is ready to implement contingency measures for the Typhoon Nina, and we are closely monitoring every development to give timely advice to affected areas and protect them from any harm.”

As of 3:00 p.m. yesterday (24 Dec.), weather bureau PAGASA projected Typhoon Nina’s landfall at 5:00 p.m. on 25 December in Bato, Catanduanes (the southern tip of the province) and to head towards Camarines Sur, Quezon, and Cavite.

On power supply, the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) reported that no transmission lines and facilities were affected as of 11:00 a.m. today (Dec. 25).

Per the directive of the DOE Secretary, NGCP has activated its 24/7 operations last 23 December at 5:00 p.m. at the overall command monitoring center (OCMC) in its headquarters in Quezon City.

Regional command and monitoring centers in Dasmariñas in Cavite, Tayabas in Quezon, Naga City in Camarines Sur and Ormoc City in Leyte were activated, while other regional command monitoring centers in other areas of the country will be activated once the typhoon comes near and makes landfall.

The Secretary tasked DOE Usec. Felix William Fuentebella to spearhead the monitoring who checked on the activities at the OCMC with NGCP personnel yesterday afternoon (Dec. 24).

Likewise, another visit at the OCMC is scheduled on Monday (26 Dec.) at 1:00 p.m. for updates on the ground.

“For the public, take all safety and pre-cautionary measures given by government agencies to protect your well-being,” Sec. Cusi finally advised.