We are grateful to have all hands on deck at such a difficult time.

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Electricity supply in the Visayas and some parts of Luzon affected by typhoon “Ursula” will be in place before the clock strikes 12 on 31 December as the Department of Energy (DoE) takes all efforts to ensure that those affected are not further burdened by lack of services, DoE Secretary Alfonso Cusi vowed.

Cusi expressed elation that agencies concerned with the rehabilitation of the electricity network under the Task Force on Energy Resiliency (TFER) are contributing to improve the situation in affected regions.

“We are grateful to have all hands on deck at such a difficult time. All efforts are being undertaken to ensure that our fellow countrymen will have electricity access before the new year comes in,” the energy chief indicated.

Energy services have been among those primarily affected after typhoon “Ursula” barreled through the Visayas and some parts of Luzon on Christmas Day.

“The entire energy family is striving to normalize energy services, especially power, in the affected areas at the soonest, if possible before the new year. It is extremely disheartening that Christmas for some of our fellowmen got dampened by this disaster, and we commiserate with all those who lost a family member or a friend to typhoon ‘Ursula,’” Cusi stressed. He added for the energy family’s part, “we have our courageous and hardworking line men and other personnel on the ground who are working round-the-clock since the storm hit to safely and urgently restore access to power.”

A report from TFER stated the National Power Corp-Small Power Utilities Group (NPC-SPUG) power plants in Bicol suspended operations to avoid strong winds and heavy rainfall from the typhoon.

As of 6 p.m. of 26 December, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) reported the restoration of the following transmission lines in the Visayas: Panitan-Sara-Estancia 69 kilovolts (kV) line with an assessed damage of five toppled towers, five leaning and one broken that affected subscribers of the Capiz Electric Co. (CAPELCO); Panitan-Sapian 69kV line the extent of damage to which is still under assessment that disrupted power to CAPELCO and Aklan Electric Cooperative.

Extensive damage was reported on the Panit-an-Nabas 138 kV Line which had 14 of its towers toppled and the Ormoc-San Isidro 69kV Line with two towers that fell.

According to the TFER report, a total of 34 electric cooperatives (EC) in 20 provinces across five regions were affected, with energy supply to 69 municipalities and cities partially restored and 130 undergoing repair.

It also cited five fuel pump stations have closed due to power outages in Tacloban, Burayan, Jaro, Alang Alang, Tolosa. Retail Stations in Mindoro Occidental but are now operational.

The death toll from the rare Christmas storm had risen to 28 and will likely climb further.

Information filtered in yesterday from badly hit areas where internet and mobile phone networks had been cut.

“The likelihood is present that the casualty count will still increase. We’re hoping against it,” National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council spokesman Mark Timbal indicated. He said at least 12 people were still listed as missing.

Among those killed were several members of a family who drowned, a policeman electrocuted by a toppled post while patrolling and a man struck by a felled coconut tree. “Ursula” ruined or disrupted Christmas festivities for hundreds of thousands of people.

The provincial government of Leyte and Eastern Samar have separately declared their respective provinces under a state of calamity following the devastation brought by “Ursula.”

Leyte Vice Governor Carlo Loreto said the Sanggunian Panlalawigan unanimously approved the declaration of the state of calamity following a recommendation of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.

Loreto said the declaration will pave the way for the release of budget for the repairs as well as in providing assistance to affected families.

“There is an urgency for immediate repair and rehabilitation of severely damaged public infrastructure,” Loreto said.

He added that the declaration will give way to “providing assistance to restore livelihood and living condition” of those whose livelihood were affected by the typhoon.