Benguet power facilities suffer heavy damage; repairs ongoing

BAGUIO CITY — The Benguet Electric Cooperative (BENECO) reported a total of 164 damaged power poles as of 6 p.m. on November 17, with ₱14.9 million in total system damages recorded as of 5 p.m.

The breakdown shows 132 primary backbone poles and 32 secondary poles affected across Benguet’s service areas.

Buguias sustained the heaviest impact with 66 damaged poles, followed by Kabayan with 19, Atok with 18, and Baguio City with 14.

Other affected towns include Mankayan (10), Bokod (8), Tuba (7), Itogon (5), Sablan (4), Kibungan (4), Bakun (3), Tublay (3), and La Trinidad (3).

BENECO said pole damage costs have already reached ₱8.6 million, while 18 damaged transformers account for an additional ₱1.9 million.

Despite widespread damage, Baguio City has been fully energized, while restoration continues in northern Benguet, particularly in Buguias, where lateral line works are ongoing.

In a significant capacity boost for northern Benguet, a new 10 MVA power transformer has been deployed to the Bulalacao Substation in Mankayan.

Once energized, it will benefit more than 18,000 consumers and improve power reliability in Mankayan, parts of Buguias, Cervantes, and Kabayan.

BENECO said the transformer’s arrival forms part of ongoing efforts to stabilize power supply amid extensive infrastructure damage.