DOE: POWER RESTORED IN TAGOLOAN, VILLANUEVA, JASAAN CDO MUNICIPALITIES
[PHOTO - DARK DAYS: A silhouette of volunteers laboring late in the day, Dec. 21, 2011, paints the gloom of the service they render for storm-ravaged Iligan City - burying scores of still unidentified fatalities in mass graves. (EPA Photo)]
MANILA, DECEMBER 23, 2011 (BULLETIN) By ELLSON A. QUISMORIO - The Department of Energy (DoE) on Thursday reported that the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) of the Philippines (NGCP) had finished its repair and clearing operations in all its transmission lines in Northeastern Mindanao which were ravaged by flashfloods spawned by typhoon "Sendong."
"As of December 21, the transmission sector is 100 percent energized," the DoE reported in its power restoration update.
However, the energy department said that for safety concerns, power is still on hold for areas that are still submerged in flood water and mud, to avoid short circuits, electrocutions, and fire breakouts.
"Nevertheless, power will be restored as soon as the areas are cleared to be connected back to the grid," it said.
As for the distribution sector, the DoE disclosed that only Talakag in Bukidnon remains not energized under the Misamis Oriental I Electric Cooperative (MORESCO I). Rehabilitation work for the affected structures of MORESCO I was expected to be completed Thursday.
The rehabilitation will allow the restoration of power in the barangays, including one barangay in Baungon of Talakag to be completed not later than December 24.
About 85 percent of the Cagayan Electric Power & Light Company, Inc. (CEPALCO) service area covering Cagayan de Oro City and the municipalities of Tagoloan, Villanueva and Jasaan were re-energized as of December 19.
CEPALCO noted that the remaining areas are set for energization.
Meanwhile, the DoE said 90 percent of the power demand in Iligan was restored. As reported by the DoE Mindanao Field Office, Iligan Light is still waiting until they can access some affected areas in the upper side of the city, which remains inaccessible, after the Department of Public Works and Highways are finished with their clearing operations.
In Surigao del Sur, power in 90 percent of individual households was restored, with the rest expected to have power back not later than Christmas day. Household power restoration in Agusan del Sur is slated for completion Thursday.
69 Philippine provinces within disaster zone By Dennis Carcamo The Philippine Star Updated December 22, 2011 03:01 PM
MANILA, Philippines - About 69 of the 80 provinces in the country are prone to "catastrophic and extreme events" related to massive flooding, a watershed management specialist warned today.
Of the figure, 24 provinces would be La Nina prone from January to March 2012, according to Dr. Esteban Godilano, a geospatial-watershed management specialist.
His calculations revealed that during the first quarter these provinces could be underwater if the government would not do something to minimize the effects of La Nina.
The following the provinces are Rizal, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Albay, Biliran, Catanduanes, Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, Dinagat Islands,Surigao del Sur, and Western Samar.
"I'm no Nostradamus but based on scientific data these places will surely be underwater during these months," said Godilano, a board member of the Climate Change Congress of the Philippines (CCCP).
He added that many of the provinces, including Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Compostela Valley, Leyte, Antipolo, and Quezon, already experienced La Nina episodes during the months of October to December last year.
Godilano said he already met with both national and local officials in Cagayan de Oro thrice to warn them of a scenario of flashfloods and massive flooding.
He said he has come up with both climate change and geo-hazard maps to inform the national and local government agencies of the impending danger.
"They knew about these maps because we have met and presented these documents," Godilano said, adding that even the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council knew about these catastrophic scenarios.
He said in the few days after he saw the devastation and deaths in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan cities, he could not sleep.
"It was very difficult for me to sleep with all the dead, including children, lined up the streets in these provinces," Godilano said.
He, however, said his conscience has not bothered him because he did not keep the information and the data to himself.
"My conscience is clear. I have not kept this information and data to the public. I did not told them to buy these maps from me," Godilano stressed.
Meanwhile, the CCCP called on President Benigno Aquino III to immediately declare Cagayan de Oro a protected area and adopt the holistic watershed management program.
The group also proposed that the President declare a moratorium on all mining operations in highly vulnerable areas and full implementation of a total log ban without exception.
Meantime, the United Nations is appealing for $28 million to help the Philippines respond to the needs of half a million people in the wake of last week's flash floods. More than 1,000 have been confirmed dead.
U.N. humanitarian coordinator Soe Nyunt-U compared the destruction in two southern coastal cities to a tsunami. He raised concern about disease outbreaks among the thousands living in evacuation centers after their houses were washed away last Friday when a tropical storm unleashed flash floods.
He told reporters in Manila on Thursday that the funds will be used for water, food, shelter and essential household items for the next three months.
Nyunt-U says he's hopeful donors and foreign governments will respond to the appeal despite the global economic crisis. - With AP
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