Quake-related power woes in Cebu resolved

CEBU, Philippines - The power distribution utility of the Aboitiz Group of Companies reminded Cebuanos that they need not worry on the power status of the entire franchise area of the   Visayan Electric Company (VECO) since there is an adequate power supply and all damages incurred during the earthquake had already been resolved.

VECO corporate communications manager Theresa Gonzales shared that although all of company’s feeders had tripped as caused by the 7.2 - magnitude earthquake last Tuesday, majority of the substations have been reenergized at around 1 PM.

VECO is considered to be the country's second largest power dsitribution utility. It serves the cities of Cebu, Mandaue, Talisay and Naga, and the municipalities of Lilo-an, Consolacion, Minglanilla and San Fernando in Cebu. .

It has 18 substations and one mobile substation in its overall franchise area in Cebu province.

Gonzales said that only three feeders incurred major problems particularly the Consolacion-Liloan transmission line in which a primary line was broken. It was reenergized at 5:05 PM while the power lines in barangays Pakna-an and Ermita energized at 10:40 AM and 1:05 PM respectively.

“All of the feeders tripped when it detected something abnormal and automatically stopped for safety reasons,” she said.

She added that the power utility immediately deployed 30 emergency crews to roam around on its franchise area after the calamity struck to check on the power lines and facilities.

VECO also activated its auxiliary call center, advertised on the radio and is currently updating its social media accounts in Facebook and Twitter every three hours to keep its consumers informed and cater to their complaints.

Gonzales further noted that although the Cebu province may still experience a number of brownouts due to minor problems of lateral power lines, the public is assured of sufficient and stable supply of electricity.

“On the following day that the earthquake struck, everything has been back to normal until now. Unless ang generating plant ang na-damage which has not happened, dira ta ma-worry,” she pointed out.

She also cited that the electric company accepts donations for Bohol quake victims from its employees and the public which can be sent in its drop-off points in its full service centers in SM City Cebu, Talisay City and Talamban, Cebu City and its main office in Banilad. /JOB  (FREEMAN)