NEPC ramps up power restoration, seeks more manpower

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY — Negros Electric and Power Corporation Chief Operations Officer Engr. Bailey del Castillo said the company is conducting 24-hour restoration efforts to bring back electricity across its franchise area following the devastation caused by Typhoon Tino.

Del Castillo said in a press conference Friday that consumers have been demanding immediate restoration, but the challenge remains the limited manpower.

“We only have 107 workers, and the coverage area is very large. We cannot deploy everyone everywhere in one day, so we really have to prioritize,” he explained.

He reported that transmission lines are now 100 percent restored, with sufficient power supply available in the grid to serve the entire franchise area.

All 11 substations are also fully operational.

At the feeder level, Del Castillo said that out of 47 feeders, 45 have already been energized as of today, with the target to energize all feeders before 6 p.m.

“If feeders are not energized, transformers and secondary lines—including households—cannot be powered,” he added.

He explained that restoring power takes time because each feeder must be sectionalized to ensure safety.

“We cannot switch on the entire feeder at once. Many trees have fallen and wires have snapped. It’s unsafe and may cause fires. So, we clear, then switch on section by section until the whole feeder is energized,” Del Castillo said.

Some feeders are already fully energized at the backbone level, but lateral lines, especially in interior areas, remain a challenge due to fallen trees and poles.

“That’s our main challenge now — vegetation,” he said.

Del Castillo appealed for help in clearing operations.

“We’re not ashamed to ask for help anymore. We really need it. Many people are calling us because everyone wants to be prioritized,” he said, adding that barangay captains have committed to assist and that vegetation teams have been formed.

He also announced that the Cagayan Electric Power and Light Company from Cagayan de Oro has committed to send a team to assist NEPC.

“Their team will arrive Saturday and begin mobilization by Sunday. We welcome any help from other power utilities as well,” he said.

Currently, NEPC linemen are working 12-hour shifts from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., often extended to 10 p.m.

“Our linemen are exhausted, but we remind them that this is our duty — to serve,” Del Castillo said.

He expressed optimism that 80 percent of the franchise area could be energized by the end of Friday, but admitted that full restoration will take time.

“Replacing toppled poles takes about five hours per pole. You have to dig, drill, and install wiring — two teams are needed for each pole. That’s why the process is not easy. We need more manpower to speed up the restoration,” he explained.

Of the more than 100 poles that need replacement, 64 percent have already been completed.

Del Castillo also thanked Bacolod City Mayor Greg Gasataya for the support extended to NEPC’s restoration operations.

“As promised, all feeders will be energized within the week. However, in terms of individual households, we may not be able to energize all of them this week — possibly by next week,” he said.