BIÑAN CITY, Laguna (PIA) – The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) has completed its restoration of transmission lines just days after the onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine.
According to NGCP regional spokesperson Joyce Balancio, personnel and line crews were already deployed to conduct regular inspection of substations and transmission lines prior to Kristine gaining strength.
“Here in Calabarzon, although we felt the impact of Typhoon Kristine, we didn’t have any severely affected facilities or transmission lines. The good thing is the NGCP personnel and line team were prepared for the arrival of typhoon, so we were able to deploy resources immediately,” Balancio said.
As a result, NGCP transmission lines in Calabarzon were fully energized on Saturday, October 26 at 3:19am and ready to distribute power supply in various distribution utilities and cooperatives.
“Our transmission lines are very critical and sensitive, meaning even if they don’t fall down or get knocked down, just a light touch from something like debris or even a leaf from a tree can immediately disrupt our connection or electricity,” Balancio added.
Based on the NGCP’s record, 39 municipalities experienced power interruptions in the region due to the typhoon, composed of four municipalities in Laguna, 11 in Quezon Province and 24 in Batangas.
Balancio explained: “There are instances when NGCP issues an advisory stating that our transmission services have been restored and electricity is available for distribution utilities. However, if our distribution utilities still have affected facilities, meaning they are not yet able to supply electricity to affected areas, that is where the problem arises.”
To address the situation and help communities still without power supply, the NGCP said they are willing to assist local distribution utilities and cooperatives to restore their lines immediately. (CO/PIA-4A)