MANILA -- Accessing the areas affected by typhoon "Ompong" is the main problem in power restoration, Department of Energy (DOE) spokesperson Felix William Fuentebella told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) on Tuesday.
"Ompong" made a landfall in Cagayan in the morning of Sept. 15, and left the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) in the evening.
As of Tuesday, Sept. 18, the DOE reported that power has been restored in 54 percent of the affected households.
Fuentebella explained that the areas affected have different situations, different terrains.
“Some areas are flat land, the others are in the mountains. Access is the main issue," he said.
The DOE has set different timelines or target dates for full power restoration in the affected areas. There are areas, however, that have no timeline for full restoration, as of Tuesday.
The DOE said some areas are still undergoing assessments. Thus, the DOE could not place a timeline in such areas.
The DOE listed the following restoration targets and updates:
Ilocos Norte (52.42 percent restored, full restoration target on Oct. 16)
Ilocos Sur (Oct. 6)
La Union (77.43 percent, full restoration target on Sept. 23)
Pangasinan (100 percent restored)
Cagayan (CAGELCO I with 6.74 percent, target to be completed on Nov. 30; and CAGELCO II with 0 percent, target timeline on Oct. 16)
Isabela (ISELCO I with 86.36 percent, target on Sept. 22; and ISELCO II with 39.45 percent, target on Oct. 15)
Nueva Vizcaya (0 percent)
Quirino (77.33 percent)
Batanes (100 percent)
Kalinga-Apayao (0 percent, target on Oct. 15)
Mountain Province (0 percent, target on Sept. 30)
Abra (0 percent, no timeline yet)
Benguet (50.37 percent, target on Oct. 6)
Ifugao (0 percent, no timeline yet)
Aurora (92.99 percent, target on Sept. 18)
Nueva Ecija (100 percent restored)
Zambales (96.61 percent, timeline for confirmation)
Laguna (100 percent restored)
Batangas (100 percent restored)
The energy department said power distributor Meralco expects to restore power in coastal areas of Paombong and Hagonoy, Bulacan by Sept. 17.
Fuentebella added that the DOE is continuously mobilizing its staff in these areas and coordinating with other agencies to ensure the speedy restoration of power. (PNA)
