DOE steps up Marawi power restoration

Published June 22, 2017, 10:01 PM By Myrna M. Velasco

http://business.mb.com.ph/2017/06/22/doe-steps-up-marawi-power-restoration/

The Department of Energy (DOE) is stepping up “restoration efforts” on electricity service at the domains of battle-scarred Marawi City as well as along neighboring areas.

The department, in a statement to the media, emphasized that it has been closely coordinating with various stakeholders in bringing back power supply especially in critical areas afflicted by the ongoing “arm strife” in Marawi City.

As of last week, the DOE noted that the scale of restoration had been at 45 percent level, with extreme physical access constraints noted in those that cannot be given back their power service yet.

Among the establishments reported to have reinstated power were the provincial capitol, the Amai Pakpak Medical Center, Brigade-Campo Ranao-AFP camp; Barangay Saber and parts of Barangay Matampay.

“With proper coordination with the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) and PNP (Philippine National Police) forces, technical personnel are en route to restore power in other vital installations in the affected areas,” the department said.

Over time, it is anticipated that Marawi City and proximate jurisdictions will also get sprucing up when it comes to their energy facilities and services, especially with the task force being deployed by the energy department.

This body, which will have the DOE in the lead, will engage the National Power Corporation, Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation, National Electrification Administration (NEA) and Lanao del Sur Electric Cooperative (LASURECO) scouring for options on how afflicted areas could move on following the armed conflict plaguing it.

LASURECO, for its part, is heavily laden with R10 billion worth of debts – which it has been lobbying with key government agencies to be given some “acceptable reprieve” – and such, it was noted, could be among the fresh round of discussion points in the task force.

Bulk of the electric cooperative’s debt had been on power supply secured from state-run NPC and successor-firm PSALM; as well as some unsettled financial obligations with NEA.

The DOE previously indicated that Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi set in motion the creation of the inter-agency body “to come up with options on rehabilitating Marawi City’s energy facilities in the aftermath of damage inflicted by the Maute Group.”