Landslide triggers weeklong power interruption in Morong, Bataan

Morong town in Bataan will experience a week of power interruptions after five transmission line poles were knocked down by a landslide dawn of Wednesday.

In a statement, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines said, the landslide, triggered by the continuous heavy rains, damaged the 69-kiloVolt lines, affecting the end-users of the Peninsula Electric Cooperative (PENELCO)-Morong.

Edwin Zaldivar, manager of the PENELCO Engineering Services Division, said linemen of NGCP arrived today in the mountainous town to fix transmission poles.

He said the repair might be until August 14.

"There is no power in Morong because the NGCP poles acquired major damage. They said they will be finished by Tuesday," said Zaldivar, adding that 5,000 households are affected.

Lilibeth Gaydowen, NGCP public affairs officer, said restoration works are hampered by widespread flooding in the town where over 17,000 residents were affected, based on the report of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council as of August 8.

She said the incident happened even after necessary preparations and precautions were employed to curtail the impact of calamities on NGCP operation and facilities.

"NGCP is doing its best to restore the affected pole structures in Bataan at the soonest possible time given the situation," said Gaydowen.

Meanwhile, electricity has resumed in flood-ravaged Dinalupihan town yesterday night after PENELCO advised NGCP to resume the power supply as the flood subsided.

Zaldivar said 20,000 residents of Dinalupihan were affected by the three-day loss of power and affirmed that interruption was to protect lives during the flood and also the power distribution facilities.

He added that PENELCO incurred minor damages but operations have sustained throughout the province.

For inquires on power interruption caused by transmission problems, contact NGCP at lpgaydowen@ngcp.ph or through 09175374781. - PIA — ARA