The National Electrification Administration (NEA) said Tropical Storm (TS) Kristine carved a path of ruin impacting on 121 electric cooperatives or 86 of the country’s energy infrastructure.
In a briefing, the NEA said 50 electric cooperatives are operating normally, 29 face partial power interruptions while 6 are completely without power. Damage to electric cooperatives is estimated at just under P1 million but impacting nearly a million customer connections. This number is expected to rise as more cooperatives submit reports.
The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) confirmed that 10 of its 69-kiloVolt lines and one 230-kV line have been damaged. NGCP is actively mobilizing crews and using helicopters for inspection and restoration missions.
Additionally, the National Power Corporation (NPC) has initiated water discharge operations at three dams in response to the storm, including the Binga and San Roque dams.
Meanwhile, the Department of Energy (DOE) gave assurance that fuel supplies remain adequate, although some gasoline stations in the Bicol region are non-operational due to flooding. DOE undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella emphasized the urgency of restoring power safely, especially for critical facilities like hospitals.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) has yet to assess the full impact of TS Kristine on agriculture but indicated that approximately 1.3 million hectares of crops have been affected, predominantly rice and corn land. The DA is prepositioning seeds and monitoring agricultural commodity prices as part of its disaster response.
As the storm’s effects unfold, officials are prioritizing safety and swift recovery efforts.
