VECO extends assistance to restore power in Bohol

CEBU, Philippines - Aside from food and water, the Visayan Electric Company (VECO) in Cebu recognized the urgent need on electricity of Boholanos, thus extending its full-force assistance to restore power in the quake-hit areas in the province of Bohol.

A 7.2-magnitude quake hit the provinces of Bohol and Cebu at 8:12 AM last October 15 that caused power transmission lines in calamity-hit areas to trip, thus affecting the supply of electricity particularly in Bohol province.

Last October 16, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) reported that the transmission lines that were already restored included Bindoy-Guihulngan 69-kiloVolt (kV), Amlan-Siaton 69-kV line, and Bagacay-Siaton 69-kV line in Negros Oriental and Ubay-Trinidad-Carmen 69-kV line and Ubay-Alicia-Tagbilaran 69-kV line in Bohol.

The Tagbilaran-Carmen 69-kV line, on the other hand, is still undergoing restoration works primarily on its detached conductors.

There are three distribution utilities in Bohol namely Bohol Light Company Inc, Bohol Electric Cooperative Inc I (BOHECO I) and Bohol Electric Cooperative Inc. II (BOHECO II).

Among the worst-hit areas  in Bohol where power was temporarily cut off include Catigbian, Sagbayan, Clarin, Inabanga, Buenavista, Danao, Carmen, Loon, Maribojoc, Antequera, Baclayon, Loay, Lila and Dimiao.

Valentin Saludes III, vice president for VECO Engineering Group, said that the electric company initiated to help the province of Bohol immediately after the quake happened.

He said that they shall deploy two crews to Bohol possibly this morning to extend assistance to BOHECO I in restoring the damaged power distribution networks in calamity-hit areas. Each crew shall have two linemen who are all equipped with the necessary tools and facilities to repair electrical lines and posts.

He added that the power restoration shall depend how grave the damage has been and the number of resources the electric utility has in the particular area.

He also cited that they are willing to extend its help to BOHECO II once the electricity needs in BOHECO I will be addressed.

“VECO has always been willing to help and respond to those who have been affected by the calamity. The people in Bohol really need electricity at this time.Our accessibility going to Bohol is from Tubigon. All the special equipments will be transported through a roll-on/roll-off vessel,” Saludes stated.

Pioneering the electrification of the Bohol countryside, BOHECO I is an electric cooperative and distribution utility that serves about 136 512 households, 34 industrial customers, and 394 large load customers in the 26 towns in Bohol. 

It operates six substations and maintains 3 440 circuit kilometers of distribution lines. Its main office is housed in Cabulijan, Tubigon.

As of October 21, BOHECO I posted in its website that there are 76 486 energized house connections out of the total number of 129 374 house connections. About 18 308 house connections are reportedly damaged as of last Sunday.

There are a total of 3 011 installed transformers of which 2 308 are already energized. Of the 602 barangays BOHECO I serves, 468 of which are energized.

BOHECO I further cited that the three feeders under the Maribojoc Substation are presently served by the Maca-as and Dampas Substations since the former was isolated due to damaged 69kV instrument transformers.

NGCP continues to monitor the transmission lines and other facilities in Bohol. Meanwhile, operations in the provinces of Leyte, Cebu, Panay and Negros are back in normal condition. /JOB (FREEMAN)