The newly constructed single-phase primary line of the Ilocos Norte Electric Cooperative (INEC) ended power woes among the Indigenous Peoples (IPs) community in the small town of Adams in Ilocos Norte. The IPs are often isolated during typhoons.
“Consider this as our Christmas gift to the people of Adams,” INEC acting manager Cipriano Martinez said in a statement on Tuesday following the Dec. 23 ceremonial energization of the Adams primary line, about 107 kilometers from this city.
INEC invested PHP5 million to improve its services to the remotest town of the province.
Martinez said the old single-phase, seven-kilometer line connecting the mountainous town of Adams was replaced for system improvement along the new Pancian-Adams Road, which runs from Barangay Pancian, Pagudpud to Sitio Maligligay in Adams.
He said the new primary line, which covers 7.77 km, ensures 80 percent power restoration efficiency during typhoons.
The old line was established in 1998 when Adams was not yet fully developed as an eco-tourism destination and the road going there was only accessible by foot and single motorcycle.
When a line trips off, INEC linemen have to hike up the mountains as the old line is not accessible to vehicles.
Thus, Adams Mayor Rosalia Dupagen thanked INEC and the provincial government of Ilocos Norte for providing a solution to their power woes.
For almost two weeks when Super Typhoon Egay devastated Ilocos Norte, among other areas, in the latter part of July 2023, Adams residents endured a long period of power interruption because it took INEC linemen longer than usual to restore electricity in the area.