VECO restores power in quake-affected areas

CEBU, Philippines - The Visayan Electric Company (VECO) restored power supply to earthquake-affected areas a day after the quake. 

Almost all of VECO’s feeders tripped after a 7.2 magnitude earthquake hit the Visayan region in the morning of Oct. 15. Restoration of power began 30 minutes after the incident.  Most feeders were energized except those in Pakna-an and Ermita and some areas in Consolacion, Liloa-an, which were restored at 10:40 am, 1:05 pm and 5:50 pm respectively.

The speedy restoration of the electricity service was credited to the immediate activation of VECO’s disaster contingency teams. Employees from different departments were convened; a command center and auxiliary call center were set up outside the VECO Banilad building minutes after the earthquake happened.

VECO Chief Operating Officer (COO) Sebastian Lacson headed the activation of the company’s disaster contingency plan.

“Our priority is always the continuity of service to the customer. That desire to serve is ingrained in our DNA. Every team member strives beyond the call of duty to get his or her job done right,” said Lacson.

Immediately after the quake, VECO deployed  more than 30 emergency crews, field and feeder inspectors, including contractors to respond to requests to fix busted laterals fuses on the lines, disconnected and loosened secondary and service wires and check the safety of poles, lines and facilities. This system made it easier for VECO to pinpoint the areas that needed immediate action.

VECO, the country’s second largest private electric utility, has had a number of situations where it evoked coordination efforts when a disaster strikes. It has a track record of responding beyond the call of duty. VECO recently received citations from the local government units and communities in Surigao del Sur and Oriental Davao after it sent personnel to help restore power after Typhoon Pablo in December 2012. 

Ricardo Lacson Jr., VP-Customer Service,  said that VECO’s main concern is to restore power in the affected areas in VECO’s franchise safely.

“During times of disaster, the safety of our workers and customers are our top priority, and our main concern as always is to understand our customers concerns and give the information they need for them to act accordingly,” he said. (FREEMAN)