THE threat of the novel coronavirus did not stop electric cooperatives from Central Luzon in once again extending their helping hands to its typhoon-affected counterparts in Camarines Sur.
The Central Luzon Electric Cooperative Association (Cleca) has organized "Task Force Duterte - Power Restoration Rapid Deployment Task Force Quinta and Rolly," which aims to assist its fellow power service provider in the immediate restoration of power in the said area.
The task force is also assisted by National Electrification Administration, Philippine Rural Electric Cooperatives Association (Philreca) and One EC-Network Foundation.
Cleca President Reynaldo Villanueva said the task force is composed of 94 personnel and 24 service vehicles, which were deployed to assist Camarines Sur 3 Electric Cooperative Inc. (Casureco-3) and Camarines Sur 4 Electric Cooperative Inc. (Casureco-4) in the rehabilitation of power lines and other necessary activities.
Each crew also has its own task and heavy equipment to utilize during their temporary remote operation, he said.
A simple send-off ceremony was held on Thursday, November 5, 2020, at the Tarlac 2 Electric Cooperative Inc. prior to the three-week official deployment, depending on the restoration progress and availability of materials, in the said province.
Villanueva also disclosed that all personnel underwent Covid-19 anti-gen swab testing to ensure that they are virus-free prior to their deployment.
Based on the November 4 report of the National Electrification Administration Disaster Risk Reduction Management Department, a total of six municipalities serviced by Casureco-3 and nine by Casureco-4 were experiencing power failure due to the typhoon.
Around P17.6 million worth of damages in the distribution system and facilities were reportedly sustained by Casureco-3, while data from Casureco-4 is still pending.
Villanueva said the sending of linemen to assist fellow electric cooperatives devastated by different calamities has been a usual activity for Cleca members.
"All through the five decades of rural electrification, electric cooperatives and our 'warriors of light,' the linemen are on our toes to extend help and technical assistance to our comrades in need at any given time, even in the midst of a pandemic," he said.
Cleca has members by 14 electric cooperatives in Aurora; Nueva Ecija 1 and 2; Tarlac 1 and 2; Pampanga 1, 2 and 3; Pampanga Rural; Peninsula; San Jose; and Zambales 1 and 2.
Aside from Cleca, electric cooperatives from Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Western Visayas and Eastern Visayas will also send help to fellow cooperatives in distress.
