TransCo acts on tower attacks in South

ZAMBOANGA CITY – The National Transmission Corp. (TransCo) has adopted a system to avert widespread power failure in Mindanao in the wake of the recent bombings of steel towers of transmission lines in Central Mindanao by suspected Muslim rebels, a company  official disclosed.

Emmanuel Abellanosa, TransCo assistant vice president for Mindanao, said the contingency measures are firmly in place to prevent major power interruptions in the South.

“If these destructive acts continue, we have a system in place to mitigate a possible prolonged power interruption,” said Abellanosa who did not discuss the contingency plans of the firm.

He assured the public that TransCo is in control of the situation and the bombings have not affected the efficiency and reliability of electric system in the area.

Abellanosa said the company is coordinating with the police and military in the area to secure the transmission lines while repair crews were deployed to repair the power lines in remote and dangerous locations.

The sabotage operations have already toppled 12 transmission towers last month.

He said the construction of each towers cost some P20-million.

The steel towers are made of imported reinforced steel materials that can withstand harsh weather.

He said that eight towers have already been repaired following the bombings in Lanao.

Suspected members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) blasted three other transmission towers in Pagayawan in Bacolod, Lanao del Norte and another in Guimba, Marawi City.

The military have blamed the MILF of resorting to attacking “soft targets” such as the government and private installation apparently to pressure the government to resume the peace negotiations immediately.