In typhoon-affected areas: Restoration in full swing

CEBU, Philippines — Power and water restoration efforts continue across Cebu in the aftermath of Typhoon Tino, with most customers of Visayan Electric and Cebu Electric Cooperative (CEBECO) now reconnected, while water service recovery remains ongoing.

As of 6:00 a.m. yesterday (November 8), Visayan Electric reported that electricity has been restored to 472,954 customers, representing 92.3 percent of its total customer base. Restoration teams continue to work around the clock to bring power back to remaining affected areas. The company thanked Cebuanos for their patience and cooperation throughout the restoration process.

According to Visayan Electric, the following areas have reported significant restoration progress: San Fernando (99 percent), Naga City (98.66 percent), Minglanilla (98.74 percent), Talisay City (94.25 percent), Cebu City (89.67 percent), Mandaue City (94.46 percent), Consolacion (97.55 percent), and Liloan (81.74 percent).

Meanwhile, CEBECO II, which serves 321 barangays, reported the following energization levels as of 8:00 a.m. on November 8: Bogo City (79 percent), Medellin (89 percent), Daanbantayan (95 percent), San Remigio (70 percent), Tabogon (44 percent), Borbon (32 percent), Sogod (67 percent), Tabuelan (50 percent), Tuburan (41 percent), Catmon (20 percent), Carmen (38 percent), Danao City (14 percent), and Compostela (29 percent).

CEBECO II also mourned the death of a lineman who lost his life while performing restoration duties. The cooperative extended its condolences to his family and colleagues, describing him as a dedicated public servant whose sacrifice reflects the courage and commitment of frontliners working to restore essential services.

     Officials have urged the public to remain patient and cooperative, emphasizing that each restored connection is the result of the tireless efforts of linemen and engineers braving difficult conditions in the field.

     As of 1 p.m. yesterday, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) reported that the Calongcalong-Asturias 69kV Line was already restored, while the Maasin-San Isidro 69kV line was partially energized. NGCP said it has mobilized its line crews and conducting restoration activities in the remaining affected area.

     Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) reported that as of Friday (Nov. 7,) 64 percent of total water production has been restored. “Our teams continue to work round-the-clock to restore full operations. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding,” the agency said.

    MCWD also reminded residents that tampering with water pipelines and unauthorized water connections is a serious offense, warning that such actions can disrupt service and contaminate the water supply. It urged the public to report any incidents of water pilferage or illegal tapping.

    This warning comes after Typhoon Tino caused extensive damage to JE Hydro, MCWD’s bulk water supplier for the Lusaran Bulk Water Supply Project.

      The typhoon resulted in severe damage to water treatment and transmission facilities; heavy siltation from mud and debris, halting treatment operations; and power outages due to damaged transmission lines.

    As a result, JE Hydro remains temporarily unable to deliver its committed supply, affecting MCWD’s operations. Engineering teams are now working to rehabilitate damaged facilities and resume normal service as soon as possible.

   In addition, MCWD discovered illegal tampering with pipelines under a bridge in Barangay Pahina-Central in Cebu City, which caused a major leak in the transmission line and further disrupted water supply in nearby areas.

    “Water pilferage is a serious offense, it not only disrupts service but may also contaminate the water supply,” MCWD stated, as it reiterated its call for vigilance and community cooperation to protect water resources, especially during disaster recovery efforts.

Massive landslides

The town of Balamban is reeling from the devastation left by Typhoon Tino, as six mountain barangays remain isolated due to massive landslides along the Transcentral Highway (TCH), leaving residents stranded and desperate for aid.

Balamban Mayor Amos Edwin Cabahug said that the Transcentral Highway remains impassable, forcing motorists traveling to Cebu City to take the longer route through Naga Road instead.

“As reported, it will take two to three weeks to clear, and we still have to check the roads if they are safe and stable,” he added

The mayor said 11 individuals were confirmed dead, 14 remain missing, and 119 others were injured following the onslaught of Typhoon Tino. Search and retrieval operations are ongoing in several barangays.

The mayor lamented that residents, of the six inaccessible mountain barangays, remain unable to receive food and water. “We still cannot deliver rice and drinking water there because the roads are destroyed,” he said.

Among the isolated barangays are Buanoy Bridge, Cansomoroy (TCH), Hingatmonan, Lamesa, Liki, Luca, Sunog, Ginantilan, Bayong, and Cabasiangan.

Private companies have also begun stepping in to assist, providing heavy equipment to help clear the blocked roads. “Hopefully, the roads will soon be passable so we can bring supplies to the mountain barangays,” the mayor said.

Cabahug has requested helicopter assistance from Provincial Administrator Ace Durano, hoping that air support could deliver rice and drinking water to the most remote and heavily affected communities.

“The PDRRMO agreed with my staff in the LGU that supplies will first be brought to Balamban and then carried by foot to the mountains,” he said.

So far, there have been no reported casualties from the isolated mountain barangays, but the mayor fears that could change if aid doesn’t arrive soon.

“Ilakaw nalang ngadto sa bukid para makahatag og supplies kay luoy kaayo didto nga na-trap bitaw tungod sa landslide,” he shared. “Our operations are composed of the MDRRMO, BFP, PNP, AFP, and the Philippine Coast Guard,” he added.

Cabahug said the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) is coordinating with provincial and national agencies for additional heavy equipment and rescue teams to fast-track road clearing.

To prevent further incidents, one of the recommendations from engineers and responders is to install sheet piles along vulnerable slopes to prevent additional landslides.

Cabahug said they have received 200 boxes of bottled water and some canned goods from the Provincial Government of Cebu, but more is needed to reach all affected families.

In yesterday’s situational report from Capitol’s Emergency Operation Center, 589 families across Balamban have been severely affected, many of whom are now taking shelter in evacuation centers.

Compounding the crisis, electrical power remains down in most parts of the municipality, with only about 30 percent of the Balamban-Asturias line segment restored.

The cellular network is also still down, leaving rescuers struggling to coordinate and residents unable to reach loved ones.

Cabahug issued a heartfelt appeal to those with kind hearts and resources to extend help. “Kung kinsa man ang maayong kasing-kasing og mo supply sa Balamban, palihug ko og hatag sa inyong tabang og suporta adto lang sa munisipyo,” he said.

He emphasized that the town’s priority needs include food, potable water, clothing, canned goods, temporary shelters, and aerial support for inaccessible areas. “Manghinaut ko nga makasabot lang ang tanan,” he said, addressing his constituents.

As Balamban struggles to recover, Cabahug said unity and compassion are the only things keeping them going. “Di jud ta magpadala sa atong emotion karon kay kita man tanan apektado,” he reminded his people.

CEBU CITY ROADS THREATS

Cebu City officials are urging motorists and residents to avoid Sitio Roosevelt in Barangay Busay after a visible crack was discovered along the road leading to Barangay Babag.

The Cebu City Government, through its engineering and disaster response units, has mobilized an on-site assessment to prevent potential accidents in the area.

Councilor Dave Tumulak, who joined the inspection, emphasized the urgency of the situation and called on the public to temporarily avoid the affected route.

Barangay Captain Yodi Sanchez, together with personnel from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), the Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW), and the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CCDRRMO), has referred the incident to MGB for technical validation and recommendations.

Until further notice, the road section remains off-limits to all vehicles. This advisory comes as the city continues to respond to the aftermath of Typhoon Tino, which brought days of heavy rain and triggered landslides, flooding, and infrastructure damage across Cebu City’s upland barangays.

As of press time, the DEPW reported that the Cantipla–Tabunan route is now cleared and passable, while Binaliw 2 is open only to motorcycles due to bridge damage. Roads from Baksan to Sapangdaku and Sapangdaku to Kalunasan remain impassable.

Mayor Nestor Archival reminded the public to exercise caution and follow official advisories, especially in areas recently affected by strong winds and flooding.

He said clearing operations are ongoing in coordination with barangay personnel, private volunteers, and partner agencies.

In Sitio Kabaasan-Masaba, Barangay Tagba-o, CCDRRMO teams are clearing debris from a landslide that partially blocked access roads.

The slope is under assessment for possible ground movement, and residents are advised to report any signs of soil instability.

Meanwhile, the DEPW confirmed that several routes have been reopened, including Pulangbato to Sirao and Guba, Toong to Pamutan, and Lusaran to Cambinocot. However, the Tagbao–Manggabon–Lusaran stretch remains accessible only to air assets, and Buot-Taop is still cut off from Bonbon due to a damaged bridge.

Binaliw to Agsungot also remains impassable due to bridge damage in Binaliw 2.

To support safer travel, the City Government has launched a real-time Road Accessibility Map, providing verified updates from CCDRRMO, barangay units, and response agencies. The platform is part of the city’s post-typhoon recovery initiative and is updated continuously as new reports are validated.(CEBU NEWS)