BAGUIO CITY – The Benguet Electric Cooperative (BENECO) sustained significant damage to its distribution system in northern Benguet due to Super Typhoon Pepito, with electric poles and other facilities severely affected.
In a press release issued by BENECO today, November 21, the hardest-hit areas were the towns of Atok, Buguias, Bokod, Bakun, Mankayan, and Kabayan.
As of noon yesterday, BENECO reported partial damages amounting to ₱2,098,898.47, with ₱1,434,438.14 recorded in Benguet alone.
A total of 28 poles and four transformers were destroyed across affected areas.
Bokod experienced the highest number of damaged poles at eight, totaling ₱387,223.70 in damages.
Mankayan followed with four poles destroyed (₱216,713.51), while Atok recorded five damaged poles (₱203,544.95).
Although Baguio City sustained damage to only two poles, the destruction of three transformers increased its total cost of damages to ₱664,460.33.
Road closures caused by landslides and unstable terrain have hindered BENECO linemen in their efforts to restore collapsed poles.
Fallen trees on power lines caused steel poles to bend and cement poles to collapse.
Several areas in Benguet remain without power, including parts of Circuit 1, Circuit 2, Circuit 4, and the Dalicno line in Itogon.
Linemen are conducting pole-to-pole foot patrols across mountains due to the collapsed poles in Domolpos connected to the Dalicno line.
In Circuit 1, affected areas include parts of Sagpat (Deckan) and Poblacion (Balaan) in Kibungan.
In Circuit 2, affected areas are Gusaran in Kabayan, parts of Poblacion (Mangakew and Catidey), Bobok-Bisal, and Pito, all in Bokod.
Bokod sustained seven destroyed poles, matching the meaning of “Pito” in the vernacular.
Other areas still without power include parts of Lower Englandad, Tagontongao, and Paoay in Atok.
In Circuit 4, barangay Madaymen in Kibungan, as well as parts of Ampusungan, Baculongan Sur, and Sebang (Pasbol), are also yet to have power restored.
Baguio City’s electricity has already been fully restored.
As of 8:00 AM today, only minimal areas remain without power, with 99.54% of consumers in Baguio and Benguet already having electricity.
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