Lack of capital impedes the capacity of ECs to respond to disasters.
Fallen electric poles and interrupted power services are the telltale damage of a violent typhoon.
Time and again, electricity supplies in the provinces are disrupted by the strong winds of tropical storms, just like the four successive typhoons that swept Luzon in just over a week this month.
And more often than not, electric cooperatives (ECs) are slow in restoring power to their respective franchises. The poor response from a public service provider like ECs after a disaster is inexcusable—they should be at the forefront of recovery efforts.
Providing reliable and sustained power supply is the mandate of the ECs. This includes restoring electricity immediately to ease the sufferings of typhoon victims.
Typhoons Marce, Nika, Ofel and Pepito hammered Central and Northern Luzon this month. At least 27 ECs operating in 21 provinces from seven regions, according to the National Electrification Authority (NEA). were affected by these violent storms. The ECs as a result were forced to temporarily shut down their operations, leaving residents and commercial establishment in those areas without electricity for several days.
Restoration efforts from the ECs are snail-paced, with many customers still clamoring for full supply. The NEA estimated the cost of damage to ECs at over P40 million.
Lack of capital impedes the capacity of ECs to respond to disasters. Unlike large distribution utilities (DUs), most ECs in the country have inferior infrastructure and do not have the technical expertise to meet the demands of consumers.
The ECs receive government financial support and technical assistance from NEA to implement and operate approved electrification programs.
In spite of investment efforts to improve their operations and provide better customer service, however, ECs are not ready to respond against calamities.
ECs are taking a longer time to restore power supply in areas where the typhoons made landfall. NEA said even a week after the sky cleared, 314 of 376 municipalities (83.5 percent) covered by the affected electric cooperatives were either fully or partially energized.
Compared in Metro Manila and other neighboring provinces under the franchise areas of Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), power was restored immediately. DUs like Meralco have superior technical expertise, experience and a reliable crew to quickly address the situation.
When storms developed into super typhoons, the ECs in contrast were forced to shut down their operations to prevent more damage to their infrastructure.
The ECs, thus, must build robust infrastructure to ensure the provision and distribution of enough energy to power up residents and business establishments, and successfully deal with extreme weather events.
DUs like Meralco have offered ECs technical expertise in power distribution, a capability that no other DUs or ECs in the country can provide.
Meralco is now in talks with several ECs in the south, especially Batangas, where there is high clamor for the DU to enter and team up with ECs to upgrade power distribution and customer service in the province.
Meralco has the financial capability to infuse more capital to improve consumer services through adequate investment in infrastructure, systems and personnel training and development
Meralco is the largest private-sector electric distribution utility company in the Philippines covering 39 cities and 72 municipalities. It accounts for 55 percent of the country’s electricity supply.
As I have said in my recent piece here, inefficient electricity distribution outside of Metro Manila is the bane of residents and businessmen.
Supply disruptions and blackouts in the provinces are frequent occurrences that test the patience of consumers. ECs do not offer long-term solutions to justify their role as public service providers.
A recent study by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) summed it up: electricity supply interruptions are wreaking havoc on local economies.
“Blackouts are not just inconveniences; they are economic hemorrhages that drain local government coffers, stifle business operations, and compromise public services,” says PIDS.
“It’s time to acknowledge that the outdated infrastructure, lack of investment in renewable energy, and resistance to regulatory reforms are not just internal issues but are contributors to the economic bleed-out of the localities they serve,” the PIDS study added.
ECs should accept the offer of Meralco. It is time for ECs to put up or shut up.
E-mail: rayenano@yahoo.com or extrastory2000@gmail.com
