BENECO assures availability of power during Panagbenga

BENECO is on red alert. Not that there is an incoming typhoon when all its systems must be running above par, but because it’s the flower festival season that has added to Baguio City’s reputation as a major tourist attraction.

BENECO activated its Disaster Mitigation and Emergency Response Plan (BDMERP) last February 1, 2023, in preparation for the month-long Panagbenga activities.

“We have to ensure power supply 24/7. In case of power trips, we have to make sure that we restore power as soon as possible,” Ramel Rifani, Network Services Department (NSD) manager, said.

This means BENECO’s muscles are ready for disposal at any time – 25 crews (composed of two linemen per crew), three hotline and heavy crews (composed of 18 linemen),  two clearing teams (15 linemen), and reliable jobbers who are stationed in all the municipalities of Benguet and ready to be dispatched for any contingency.

Office-based engineers can also be part of the field crew, Rifani said.

Part of the disaster plan is the availability of materials and the fast protocol for this dispatch when needed.

The cooperative’s technical department and support personnel are specifically on red-alert for the following February and March events in the city — February 3 (Grand Opening), 13 (Chinese Spring Festival Grand Parade), 15-17 (PMA Grand Alumni Homecoming), 24-25 (Grand Street dance and Float parade) and March 3 (Closing Program and Awarding Ceremonies).

“BENECO does not only go on red alert during typhoon season. Even before the creation of the BDMERP in 2018, BENECO has always been proactive in its preparation during holidays and special occasions, especially in the city of Baguio like CARAA, Christmas, Holy Week, and Undas. We have our task force for these in the past,” Rifani recalled. ** Laarni S. Ilagan