Over 650,000 households lose power after storms hit

Widespread power outages have affected nearly 650,000 households across 52 provinces in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao following the impact of Super Typhoon Nando (Ragasa), Severe Tropical Storm Opong (Bulaoi), and enhanced southwest monsoon rains.

As of 9 a.m. on Sept. 26, 2025, the National Electrification Administration (NEA) reported disruptions in the operations of 87 electric cooperatives, according to its Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Department (DRRMD).

A total of 649,808 households remained without electricity as restoration efforts continued across 12 regions, making this one of the most widespread power disruptions this year.

To expedite power restoration in Northern Luzon, NEA deployed Task Force Kapatid (TFK), a coordinated emergency response team drawn from electric cooperatives within the Ilocos Region.

TFK mobilized 37 line personnel from the Ilocos Sur Electric Cooperative, Inc. (ISECO), La Union Electric Cooperative, Inc. (LUELCO), Central Pangasinan Electric Cooperative (CENPELCO), and Pangasinan I and III Electric Cooperative, Inc. (PANELCO 1 and 3) to assist the Ilocos Norte Electric Cooperative, Inc. (INEC).

In the Bicol Region, local cooperatives also activated TFK teams to help restore electricity in areas served by Masbate Electric Cooperative, Inc. (MASELCO) and Ticao Island Electric Cooperative, Inc. (TISELCO).

As of the latest update, 826 out of the 1,042 affected municipalities have regained electricity, reflecting nearly 80% service restoration nationwide.

ISECO and Batanes Electric Cooperative, Inc. (BATANELCO), both of which suffered total power outages, have now resumed normal operations.

Preliminary assessments estimate the damage to electrification infrastructure at PHP 10.1 million, affecting facilities managed by six electric cooperatives in Northern Luzon.

The affected cooperatives include Abra Electric Cooperative (ABRECO), BATANELCO, Benguet Electric Cooperative (BENECO), Cagayan Electric Cooperative II (CAGELCO 2), Kalinga-Apayao Electric Cooperative (KAELCO), and Mountain Province Electric Cooperative (MOPRECO).

“The NEA continues to coordinate closely with the affected cooperatives, local government units, and other stakeholders to ensure the swift restoration of power and services to affected communities,” the agency said in a statement.