Volunteer electricians needed to hasten power restoration in Tacloban

MANILA, Philippines—To hasten the restoration of power in Tacloban City, Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla appealed for the help of volunteer electricians in “repairing and inspecting electrical wirings” of houses and facilities ravaged by Supertyphoon “Yolanda” (Haiyan).

Petilla, who vowed to resign if the government would fail to restore power in typhoon-hit areas, said in a government release that electricians’ certifications were necessary to safely reenergize power lines.

The energy secretary at the same time appealed to consumers living in areas being serviced by the Luzon power grid to be “more frugal” in using electricity.

“The excess power in the area will be diverted to power Tacloban City in Leyte and other Yolanda-ravaged provinces,” the statement said.

Basically, Petilla said, conserving energy could be done by reducing the temperature settings of air-condition units.

Now that the Yuletide season is approaching, he said that cutting down the time Christmas lights are on could save energy, said Petilla.

Observing the recommended energy-saving tips will show the concern of Filipinos for their calamity-stricken countrymen, he said.