Power restored to 60% of areas hit by typhoon

MANILA, Philippines — Power has been restored to more than 60 percent of areas affected by Super Typhoon Uwan, with full restoration expected within a month despite extensive damage to the country’s energy infrastructure, Malacañang announced yesterday.

At a Palace briefing, Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said Energy Secretary Sharon Garin reported that electricity had returned to 454 out of 712 municipalities hit by the typhoon.

“The swift action of President Marcos resulted in immediate solutions to the power supply and cell sites in the typhoon-hit areas,” Castro said, noting that restoration efforts continue for over three million consumer connections still without electricity.

The Department of Energy (DOE) is monitoring 60 affected electric cooperatives, with initial damage in the energy sector estimated at more than P4 million.

“For everything that can be restored sooner, it should be done within a month. I know that’s quite a long time, but the damage is extensive,” said Garin.

The DOE has instructed power utilities and the grid operator to prioritize critical facilities such as hospitals, evacuation centers, telecom and water utilities, emergency operations centers and vital oil depots.

“We are working in close collaboration with energy sector stakeholders to pinpoint gaps in both electricity and fuel supply, proactively anticipating needs to ensure a safe and expedited restoration process,” Garin added.

As of 2 p.m. yesterday, Energy Undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella reported that more than 900 megawatts of capacity remained unavailable, with nine power plants still under restoration.

All affected transmission lines are expected to be fully operational by Nov. 20.

In off-grid areas, work continues in at least 63 power plants, though some remain partially energized due to damaged distribution lines.

On the distribution side, 51 electric cooperatives across several regions have yet to resume normal operations, while eight are still experiencing total power interruptions.

In Metro Manila and nearby provinces, the Manila Electric Co. said the number of affected customers had dropped to nearly 15,000 from over 400,000 at the height of the typhoon.

Castro also reported that the Department of Information and Communications Technology, led by Secretary Henry Aguda, has restored 82 percent of Smart’s signal, 77 percent of Globe’s, 63 percent of DITO’s and 79 percent of Converge’s signal.

Signal restoration continues in affected areas to ensure the full return of communication services. — Brix Lelis