Power restored to 60% of areas hit by typhoon

Power has been restored to more than 60 percent of areas affected by Super Typhoon Uwan, with full restoration expected within a month despite extensive damage to the country's energy infrastructure, Malacañang announced yesterday.

- By BELLA CARIASO

At a Palace briefing, Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said Energy Secretary Sharon Garin reported that electricity had returned to 454 out of 712 municipalities hit by the typhoon.

"The swift action of President Marcos resulted in immediate solutions to the power supply and cell sites in the typhoon-hit areas," Castro said, noting that restoration efforts continue for over three million consumer connections still without electricity.

The Department of Energy (DOE) is monitoring 60 affected electric cooperatives, with initial damage in the energy sector estimated at more than P4 million.