Power fully restored in 25 typhoon-hit Davao villages

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Power has been restored in 25 barangays that were left without electricity after Typhoon Pablo pounded Davao Oriental in December 2012.

The 25 villages were the only ones left without power when President Aquino visited the province last February. But they are now fully re-energized by the National Electrification Administration (NEA) and the Davao Oriental Electric Cooperative (Doreco).

A ceremonial power switch-on was held in Cateel town last Monday.

NEA administrator Edith Bueno said power restoration was completed in only less than a month following the President’s visit.

Bueno said this was in response to the request of Gov. Corazon Malanyaon to the President for the immediate release of funds for the full restoration of power in all villages in Cateel, Boston and Baganga, the three municipalities hardest hit by Pablo.

Bueno said 126 workers from 11 different electric cooperatives in Mindanao were tapped for the power restoration project.

Meanwhile, to increase power supply in selected areas in the eastern coast, particularly to meet the requirements of investors set to build processing plants for the emerging oil palm industry, Doreco has committed to convert single-phase lines into three-phase power lines.

Engineer Gregory Dukil, Doreco manager, said the conversion would cover around 50 kilometers in Boston, Cateel, and Baganga towns, and is expected to be completed by May 15.

“This would ensure economic activities in these areas, especially now that the province is about to embark on the oil palm industry where investors require sufficient supply of power, which can only be possible through a three-phase electrical system. After all, adequate power supply is one major requirement of investors that would ensure economic recovery in these areas,” Malanyaon said.