By Sarwell Meniano | Philippine News Agency
TACLOBAN CITY – Electricity has been restored in only 145 out of 500 villages in Southern Leyte after nearly two months of power outage caused by Typhoon Odette.
The Southern Leyte Electric Cooperative (Soleco) reported on Wednesday, Feb. 9, that as of Feb. 4, only 41,411 houses and establishments have been energized out of the 105,787 affected power consumers.
“As of this posting, 28.83% of villages are already partially energized within the coverage area of Soleco. Per consumer status, 39.15% are already energized,” Soleco said in its report.
These partially-energized communities are in Maasin City, Macrohon, Padre Burgos, Tomas Oppus, Bontoc, Sogod, Liloan, Saint Bernard, San Juan, Hinunangan, Malitbog, Libagon, Silago, and Limasawa towns.
Five towns are still in darkness — San Francisco, Pintuyan, San Ricardo, Anahawan, and Hinundayan.
Soleco is expected to fully restore its services to all towns within February.
Task Force Kapatid, composed of personnel from electric cooperatives in Eastern Visayas, has deployed over 100 linemen to repair damaged distribution facilities.
They are augmented by teams from power cooperatives in Luzon. (PNA) – bny