Eastern Visayas power coops send linemen to typhoon-hit Catanduanes

This photo provided by the MDRRMO Viga Catanduanes shows damaged houses caused by Super Typhoon Pepito in Viga, Catanduanes province, northeastern Philippines, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (MDRRMO Viga Catanduanes via Associated Press)

TACLOBAN CITY — An 86-member team from all the 11 electric cooperatives across Eastern Visayas was sent to help restore power in the typhoon-devastated province of Catanduanes on Nov. 20.

Among them were linemen from the Leyte II Electric Cooperative (Leyeco II) which serves Tacloban City and the nearby towns of Palo and Babatngon.

In a statement, Leyeco II said their decision to send crew members to Catanduanes was a gesture of gratitude.

It recalled the assistance they received from various power cooperatives during the aftermath of Super Typhoon “Yolanda” (international name: Haiyan) in 2013.

“As a recipient of the Task Force Kapatid Program years ago, Leyeco II is committed to giving back by lending a helping hand whenever electric cooperatives are ravaged by typhoons and other calamities,” Leyeco II said.

Catanduanes recently bore the brunt of Super Typhoon “Pepito” (international name: Man-yi), which caused extensive damage, including the province-wide blackout.

The Leyeco II contingent, composed of 28 linemen led by Engr. Mark Gil Natan, would be stationed in Virac, Catanduanes, where they would work to restore power supply over a 20-day period.

“These brave men will spend weeks away from their families to respond to the call for help from our sister cooperative,” Leyeco II said.

The team brought essential equipment, including two boom trucks and service vehicles, to facilitate their operations.

Task Force Kapatid is a collaborative initiative among electric cooperatives in the Philippines designed to help restore power in areas severely affected by natural disasters, such as typhoons and earthquakes.

Organized by the National Electrification Administration, the program mobilizes linemen, technical personnel and equipment from unaffected cooperatives to assist those facing extensive power outages and infrastructure damage.

The initiative has played a pivotal role in disaster response and recovery efforts across the country, particularly in the aftermath of Super Typhoon Yolanda which devastated Tacloban City and Eastern Visayas in 2013.

During that crisis, power cooperatives, including Meralco, helped expedite the restoration of electricity in Tacloban City.