Binnadang Spirit Fast-Tracks Power Restoration in Northern Benguet Towns
Small scale miners and residents assist in ground works, hauling, and clearing as well as pulling the rope to erect poles at Guinaoang, Mankayan, Benguet.
By Laarni S. Ilagan, photos courtesy of Beneco
MANKAYAN, Benguet — The resilient spirit of Binnadang—or communal unity deeply rooted in Cordilleran culture—once again shone in this mining town, as more than 60 volunteer small-scale miners and residents came together to help restore electricity after the recent super typhoon left large parts of the area in darkness.
At Guinaoang Elementary School site, the felled pole is restored with the help of community volunteers and the lending of heavy equipment.
From hauling electric posts to clearing fallen trees, volunteer small scale miners and local residents worked side by side with the Benguet Electric Cooperative (BENECO) line maintenance team.
Their efforts significantly hastened restoration, saving at least two full days of work in hauling replacement poles alone. Factor in more days and time saved with line clearing.
The task was no small feat.
One 10-wheeler truck—a logistical blessing in these mountainous terrains—and a boom truck were offered by small-scale mining operators Bernard Copite and Brith Antonio. The volunteers not only hauled the posts but also helped in ground works for pole erection and line clearing.
“On ordinary days, in good weather, it will take us one day travel time to haul electric poles going to Alapang, La Trinidad, and coming back here,” shared Mateo Batane, a retired veteran leadman of BENECO and now embedded contractor for the northern Benguet area. “So the help we got this time really made a huge difference.”
When the two mining leaders approached Batane midweek (Wednesday), their question was simple: How can we help hasten the restoration of power for the community? What followed was an inspiring surge of Binnadang—neighbors helping neighbors, people setting aside their own work to lift those fallen lines back into place.
“Isu dakkel nga banag ti naitulong dagituy adu nga volunteers, ta nagadu ken nagdakkel ti na damage na daytuy nga didigra (ST Uwan), ta nu haanak agkamali adda nasurok sangapulo (10) totally damaged backbone poles ken walo nga leaning poles nga masapul tayu ayusen,” Batane said, estimating over 10 primary poles needing full replacement and eight others requiring reinforcement. “Their help meant everything.”
Ordinarily, one barangay’s line clearing alone would take a day. But with Binnadang at work, multiple barangays were cleared within the same period. This made possible the quick energization of several key areas—Guinaoang (partially energized), Taneg, Poblacion Mankayan, Bulalacao (partial), Tabeo (fully energized), and parts of Palasaan.
Batane emphasized safety amidst the rush to revive power. “Kinasaok dagidiay leaders nga itugot da dagidiay hardhat da ken available safety equipment da. Dagidiay met volunteers nga awan PPE da, idiay da lang safe distance nga matrabaho,” he said. Those without protective gear assisted from safer distances, hauling materials or pulling support ropes.
The restoration was also made faster by the local government’s prompt road clearing operations. Another miner’s group, led by a certain Mr. Guilis, joined over the weekend to clear routes in Palasaan, preparing the way for more pole installations by Monday and Tuesday.
Batane expressed hope that the strong spirit of Binnadang will continue to power the hearts and homes of Mankayan and neighboring northern Benguet municipalities, as restoration continues.
