29/07/2023
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The Benguet Electric Cooperative (BENECO) has restored power in 60 percent of Baguio City and Benguet province as of 8 am today, July 27, 2023.
The power firm said there was sheer volume of damages to its distribution system due to the wrath of super typhoon "Egay."
Initial cost of damages has reached more than P2. 6 million. Broken, damaged and eroded poles felled by trees that fell on the wires: P1, 422, 026.85 and P1,274,864.22 of damaged transformers. The cooperative anticipates the increase of damages as reports trickle in from Benguet province.
BENECO had to stop its restoration efforts late evening of July 25 when Egayโs wind and rainfall intensified to a point that it became impossible and very dangerous for its linemen to continue.
โMuch as we wanted to continue restoring power, we also have to think of our linemenโs safety. It came to a point that it was useless to keep on restoring power, when a few minutes later another fault develops due to the intensifying winds and rainfall of Egay,โ Engr. Ramel Rifani, BENECOโs Network Services Department (NSD) explained as he appealed for patience and understanding from consumers.
Egay hit Baguio and Benguet late afternoon of July 25. Itโs strength increased to dangerous levels till the morning of July 26.
Most 11. 45% restored supply of power are in the following towns: La Trinidad 51.66%, Atok 33.44%, Buguias 12. 52%, Mankayan at 1.66% ,and 3.48% in Baguio City. Still totally without power are the municipalities of Bakun, Bokod, Itogon, Kabayan, Kapangan, Kibungan, Sablan, Tuba, and Tublay.
Out of the 129 barangays of Baguio City, 121 are without power as of 5 PM of July 26.
BENECO resumed its power restoration efforts when it dispatched its line workers (regular linemen and jobbers (contractors) before 12 noon of July 26, when the intensity of Egay weakened a little.
A day prior to Egayโs forecast arrival, in anticipation of the damage egay will incur, BENECO Disaster Mitigation and Response Plan (BDMERP) was activated and Acting General Manager Atty. Delmar Carino declared the red alert status of BENECO.
Materials were stored at strategic locations ready for withdrawal as needed by the BENECO restoration team.
โAlways secure the safety of your families first before reporting for duty,โ Assistant General Manager Engr. Melchor Licoben always reminded the employees of BENECO.***LSI
