APEC delay on power restoration irks Albay governor

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Albay governor Joey Salceda expressed irritation on the announcement of the Albay Power Energy Corp. (APEC) that the electricity supply in the entire province will be restored in October this year yet. The announcement crossed the eyebrows of consumers in the province.

Salceda said Saturday he has asked the assistance of Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla, Cabinet Secretary Rene Almendras and National Electrification Administration head Edith Bueno for the restoration of power service in the entire province within two weeks.

“The restoration schedule of APEC wherein the last village to be given power service will still be in October is foolish,” Salceda said.

He said the absence of power is a big loss to the economy of Albay and that the APEC should double time in their restoration efforts for the sake of the 1.3 million Albayanos and also, to prevent further losses for the company itself.

“Those schedules being released by APEC refer to the deadline for the last barangay to be energized in a particular locality. I told them that this is insane. Anyway, it is a loss-loss situation for all of us. They lose money and we suffer, too. The best way is to look at doubling the restoration efforts as an investment and to insure them against future losses so there will be spontaneous funding,” he clarified

The restoration schedule of APEC was announced by spokesperson Jane Rogando.

Power was first restored in backbone lines in APEC’s three service centers in the province — Tabaco, Legazpi and Ligao cities.

Next will be the lateral or interior lines which are part of distribution lines down to the barangay level. Rogando earlier said that the town of Malinao has two feeders and power service in the area is expected to be restored in Feeder 1 on July 30 and in Feeder 2, on Aug. 31.

The four feeders in Tabaco City will have power supply on Sept. 30.

On Branch II in Legazpi City, power will be restored in Bitano Feeder 1, July 29; Feeder 2, Aug. 8; Feeder 3, Oct. 15 and Feeder 4, Sept. 15. At the Washington substation, restoration shcedule include Feeder 1, Aug. 3; Feeder 2, Aug. 30; and Feeder 3, Sept. 30.

Meanwhile, in Branch III, APEC cannot issue the exact restoration schedule because it has not completed the assessment of the effects of typhoon Glenda in the area.

Rogando cautions that the schedule of dates of power restoration is subject to changes, depending on the extent of damages in a particular area.

Meanwhile, the Camarines Sur II electric cooperative (CASURECO II) has fully energized its service area last July 24th. (with PNA by Nancy Mediavillo )

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