Still no power in Cagayan, Kalinga due to Typhoon Ompong

TUGUEGARAO, Cagayan, Philippines — Power has yet to be fully restored in Cagayan and Kalinga after Typhoon Ompong hit Northern Luzon last week.

There is still no electricity in Baggao, Sta. Ana, Gonzaga and Sta. Teresita towns in Cagayan even as power was restored in Gattaran, Lallo, Camalaniugan, Aparri and Buguey.

The Cagayan Electric Cooperative 2, which services 70 of the 479 barangays in Cagayan’s northern towns, were energized on Tuesday at around 5 p.m.

A total of 103,794 households are still without electricity.

Wilmer Asan, public information officer of the Kalinga Electric Cooperative, said power has yet to be restored in several barangays in Rizal, Pasil, Pinukpok, Lubuagan, Conner, Kabugao, Tanudan and Balbalan  towns as well as in Tabuk City. 

Asan said they expect the full restoration of electricity throughout the province, which remains under a state of calamity, in the next few days.

20 towers destroyed

The National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) said 20 major transmission towers were destroyed and toppled. At least 91 electric posts were also damaged.

Lilibeth Gaydowen, NGCP regional communications and public affairs officer, said linemen, augmentation teams and 200 engineers across Luzon were dispatched to restore power in affected areas.

Gaydowen said the repair of damaged facilities is expected to be finished today.