TC EMONG and HABAGAT DAMAGE TO BENECO REACHES P6.8 MILLION
BY: Laarni Ilagan, photo by Neil Ongchangco
The Benguet Electric Cooperative (BENECO) reported on July 31 at 3:oo pm. that damages from Tropical Cyclone Emong and the southwest monsoon (Habagat) have reached P7.2 with power restoration efforts continuing across Baguio City and Benguet.
Despite torrential rains and strong winds that caused widespread power outages, BENECO has restored electricity to 96.4% of households and 98.9% of barangays within its franchise area.
Baguio City incurred the highest damage costs at P4,526,094.44, including four primary poles, two transformers, and 11 protective devices. Benguet followed with P2,284,076.54 in damages, with 28 poles and six transformers affected. The figures are expected to rise as assessments from more municipalities are still being finalized.
Major causes of the outages were landslides and falling trees and bamboo damaging power lines. Inaccessible roads further delayed restoration, especially in Benguet and parts of Baguio, as linemen had to wait for government crews to clear debris.
In Baguio City, only a few isolated areas and households remain without power.
“We can now concentrate and send majority of our manpower and heavy equipment and materials needed to Benguet municipalities to fix damages in our backbone lines in Kabayan, Natubleng, and Saddle Atok along Halsema Highway,” said Engr. George Tait in an interview.
