Manila: Transmission lines affected by Severe Tropical Storm Opong (international name Bualoi) have reached eight as of late Friday afternoon, according to the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP). Simultaneous restoration activities are being conducted on areas already accessible, the NGCP assured.

According to Philippines News Agency, the affected lines include the Calbayog-Allen 69kV Line serving the Northern Samar Electric Cooperative, Inc. (NORSAMELCO) and the Samar 1 Electric Cooperative (SAMELCO I); the Paranas-Quinapondan 69kV Line supplying the Eastern Samar Electric Cooperative Inc. (ESAMELCO); the Calbayog-Bliss 69kV Line serving SAMELCO I; the Nabas-Sapian 69kV Line providing for Aklan Electric Cooperative, Inc. (AKELCO); and the Batangas-Mabini 69kV Line catering to the Batangas II Electric Cooperative Inc. II (BATELEC II).

Furthermore, the Amlan-San Carlos 69kV Line catering to the Negros Oriental II Electric Cooperative (NORECO II), the Nabas-Malay 69kV Line supplying the Antique Electric Cooperative (ANTECO), and the Nabas-Culasi-Bugasong 69kV Line serving the Aklan Electric Cooperative, Inc. (AKELCO) were also affected by Opong.

NGCP stated that it has mobilized its line crews and is currently conducting patrols to inspect and assess the impact of the severe tropical storm on its operations and facilities. The corporation noted that loss of power may be caused by affected transmission facilities of NGCP or distribution facilities of local distribution utilities or electric cooperatives. Specific cities and municipalities affected by the power interruptions are determined by concerned distribution utilities, unless the outage affects the entire franchise area.