BAGUIO CITY – The Benguet Electric Cooperative (Beneco) reported damage to its property, including poles and electrical lines, due to heavy rains and strong wind brought by severe tropical storm “Betty” reaching P1.4 million.
The electric cooperative also saw its 37-year-old substation power transformer in Bulalacao, Mankayan suffer heavy damage during the onslaught of Betty.
The electric cooperative said it is focusing its efforts for the immediate replacement of the substation power transformer which supplies power to Mankayan and some parts of Buguias.
Mario Calatan, officer-in-charge of Beneco’s network services department, said that the replacement of the busted transformer may take some time, forcing the electric cooperative to negotiate for the lease of a power transformer in the meantime.
“We are waiting for the supplier to visit the site so that the transformer can be immediately delivered,” Calatan told the Mankayan municipal disaster council.
Power has been restored in some affected areas as their lines have been diverted to the Sinipsip substation in Sinipsip, Buguias.
For Beneco’s franchise area, 81.41 percent of the barangays whose power supply was cut has already been restored.
The Beneco management assured the public that it has adopted immediate and long-term measures to immediately restore power.
Calatan sought the patience and understanding of consumers, especially those living in Barangays Amgaleyguey, Lengaoan, Abatan, Amlimay, Calamagan, Natubleng, Loo, Baculongan Norte, Poblacion, Sebang, Bangao, Baculongan Sur, Buyacaoan, and Catlubong, in Buguias, and Barangays Cabiten, Paco, Bedbed, Sapid, Suyoc, Taneg, Balili, Bulalacao, Tabio, Guinaoang, Poblacion, and Colalo in Mankayan where power has been cut off because of that busted transformer in Mankayan.
Soil erosion coupled with falling trees caused the destruction of the cooperative’s 10 primary poles and lines. These poles alone would cost the electric cooperative P672,625.56 in losses.
Three transformers worth P800,500 in New Lucban and Irisan in Baguio City and Kias in Virac, Itogon were also damaged.