BENECO’s report during the height of Typhoon Betty

BRAVE LINEMEN IN ACTION. Team Leader Bartolome Parrocha, Denver Karry, Nick Bartolome, Sheldon Malaga, and Abrielo Torres restoring power for parts of Feeder 12 affected due to a cut primary jumper supplying BWD Teachers Camp. According to students of the Cordillera Administrative Training Center, they heard a loud boom at around 7 AM on Wednesday (May 31, 2023). (Photo by: LSI)

BAGUIO CITY – Typhoon Betty damaged poles and electrical lines of the Benguet Electric Cooperative (BENECO) in the amount of P1.4 million.

The electric cooperative though is focusing its efforts on the immediate replacement of its 37year old substation power transformer found in Bulalacao, Mankayan after it suffered heavy damage due to the typhoon’s heavy rains.

The substation supplies power to Mankayan and some parts of Buguias which still had no light as of Thursday morning.

Mario Calatan, an engineer who is the officer-in-charge of BENECO’s network services department, said that the replacement of the busted transformer may take some time, forcing the electric cooperative to negotiate for the lease of a power transformer in the meantime.

“We are waiting for the supplier to visit the site so that the transformer can be immediately delivered,” Calatan told the Mankayan municipal disaster council.

Power has been restored in some of the affected areas as their lines have been diverted to the Sinipsip substation in Sinipsip, Buguias. 

For BENECO’s franchise area, 81.41% of the barangays whose power supply was cut have already been restored.

BENECO’s management assured the public that it has adopted immediate and long-term measures to restore power the soonest.

Calatan sought the patience and understanding of the consumers from Amgaleyguey, Lengaoan, Abatan, Amlimay, Calamagan, Natubleng, Loo, Baculongan Norte, Poblacion, Sebang, Bangao, Baculongan Sur, Buyacaoan, Catlubong, in Buguias town barangays Cabiten, Paco, Bedbed, Sapid, Suyoc, Taneg, Balili, Bulalacao, Tabio, Guinaoang, Poblacion, Colalo in Mankayan town who were affected by the busted transformer in Mankayan.

Soil erosion downed ten primary poles and lines of the cooperative while trees fell on power lines that brought down the poles.

These alone caused the electric cooperative losses in the amount of  P672, 625.56.

Three busted transformers, worth P800,500, were also recorded for  New Lucban and Irisan in Baguio City and Kias in Virac, Itogon.  ###  LSI