SEN. Sherwin T. Gatchalian guided the National Electrification Administration (NEA) to promptly tap an available P200-million funding source to extend timely assistance to electric cooperatives hit by Typhoon Odette.
The senator suggested that the NEA can draw the needed assistance fund to readily activate affected power providers from the Electric Cooperatives Emergency and Resiliency Fund (ECERF) in order to provide relief to electric cooperatives to bounce back from Typhoon Odette.
Gatchalian, Senate Energy Committee chairman, recalled that ECERF was allocated “P200 million fund for this year.”
Citing the extensive damage inflicted by Typhoon Odette, the senator aired an appeal conveying apprehensions by affected power consumers hoping the extensive brownouts do not extend until Christmas.
“Nananawagan ako sa NEA na gawan ng paraan ang pinangangambahan ng mga kababayan natin upang makapagdiwang sila ng pasko nang normal,” Gatchalian added. [I call on the NEA to address our countrymen’s worries so that they can celebrate Christmas normally.]
He recalled that “while it was earlier reported that some areas may have no electricity until Christmas, the Department of Energy said it would do its best to restore power in affected areas.”
The senator stressed the immediate restoration of power lines will “make it easier to make an accurate assessment of the extent of devastation and the needed coordination for the provision of emergency relief to displaced families.”
