Manila: Teams from the Department of Energy's (DOE) Task Force on Energy Resiliency are already deployed to provinces battered by recent typhoons, with another team on the way to Cebu following Tuesday night's earthquake. During the Commission on Appointments' deliberation on her ad interim appointment, Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said the task force was activated immediately after the disasters to coordinate with the National Power Corporation, National Electrification Administration, National Grid Corporation of the Philippines, TransCo, and oil companies.

According to Philippines News Agency, Garin stated, "Once it's activated, all stakeholders are gathered in order for us to have information and act on the problem." In Masbate alone, she reported that over 1,148 electric posts were toppled by strong winds, cutting power across much of the province. Garin said rehabilitation works are ongoing, and lessons from the disaster highlight the need to recalibrate and insulate power structures to make them more resilient.

She noted that the proposed increase in NEA's budget would help electric cooperatives strengthen their infrastructure. Senator Risa Hontiveros raised reports that power restoration in Masbate could take up to a month and sought assurance that other affected areas, such as Aklan, Iloilo, and Cebu, would also receive timely support. "Cebu happened last night, and we have to call on them to prepare, create a team. All their heavy equipment will be transported, so it takes a day or two just to get to the area," Garin said, assuring that another DOE task force team would be in the province by Friday.

The strong earthquake jolted Cebu province late Tuesday. Its epicenter was located 21 km. northeast of Bogo City. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology has recorded 379 aftershocks as of 4 a.m. Wednesday.