Task Force Cebeco sends home crewmen

CEBU, Philippines - Restoration works continue w/ only 160 men a considerable number of the 577-strong Task Force Kapatid CEBECO (Cebu Electric Cooperative) 1,2 and 3 linemen were sent home to Cebu, leaving only 160 personnel to continue with their works of restoring electricity on the thousands of houses at western part of Leyte province.

Father Francisco Silva, head of the Task Force, decided on the pullout due to the lack of sleeping quarters of the team linemen and engineers in the area, according to Engr. Boggie Tiu, overall commander of the volunteer group, which was also known as Team Kidlat.

Engineer Lowell Belciña, resident manager of  CEBECO in Cebu City, said boom trucks, vehicles and other equipment however remained in the areas for the task force's use.

The Team Kidlat was divided into three groups, namely, CEBECO 1 that covers the towns of Leyte, Calubian and San Isidro; CEBECO 2 for the towns of Merida, Isabel, Palompon and Villaba; and CEBECO 3 in Ormoc City, headed by Engr. Bryan Bael.

Each of the Kidlat group is now being assisted by a group of Leyte Electric Cooperative (LEYECO) 5 linemen who also dug up holes for the installation of new electric poles to replace those toppled at the height of typhoon Yolanda.

The team Kidlat arrived Ormoc City last March 12 and since then started power restoration works, scheduled to last for 15 days.

As of yesterday, the CEBECO 2 group reported that a total of 305 houses have been installed with new electric meters in its assigned site, which is the Area III coverage of LEYECO 5. The rest of the groups has yet to submit their reports on the progress of their work in their respective area.

Other top officials of the Team Kidlat were Engr. Lhoi Crodua, assistant general manager of CEBECO 1, Virgilio Fortich, general manager of CEBECO 3 and Victor Chiong, consultant of CEBECO employees union.

LEYECO 5 director Joselito Yap told The Freeman that, despite the slashed number of Kidlat crewmen, the works were still going faster than the usual pace. He was very impressed with the skills and speed of the restoration works of the Kidlat team.

LEYECO 5 general manager Juanito Jorda Jr earlier told The Freeman that his coop had provided materials support, such as conductors, wooden and steel poles to the CEBECO team. The area of coverage targeted to be re-lighted consisted of 110,000 houses.

The Team Kidlat earlier this month restored lights to at least 35,000 houses in Tacloban City and Palo town, covered by LEYECO 2, in a span of 11 days only.