BENECO is ready for typhoon “Mawar”

Photo by: Johnwell Quipot, BENECO Lineman

BAGUIO CITY – (May 26, 2023) “BENECO IS READY for Mawar,” Engr. Ramel Rifani, BENECO’s Acting General Manager, said of the cooperative’s preparedness a day prior to the super typhoon’s expected landfall in the country.

The co-op has started to ensure a sufficient inventory of materials: poles, transformers, and line hardware in preparation for the damages that super typhoon Mawar will incur, Rifani said.

As of Friday afternoon, the NSD has prepared the usual notice for personnel and jobbers in readiness for the declaration of red alert and the corresponding mobilization of personnel when the need arises through its Taskforce, Rifani said.

“The activation of BENECO’s disaster preparedness bible—the BENECO Disaster Mitigating and Emergency Restoration Plan (BDMERP) that has been in place for several years–will depend on the damages incurred and the scope of areas with power interruption, even if there is no storm signal,” Rifani explained.

If the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) in the region declares a red alert, BENECO will also automatically activate its Task Force and its BDMERP.

The Commander on the Ground will be Engr. Mario Calatan, NSD’s OIC-Department Manager.

 “BENECO as a world-class utility company has been following its protocol and is prepared for this kind of contingencies. We can ramp up the team once there is a need for it,” Interim Board Chairperson Steve Cating said, expressing his confidence in BENECO disaster preparedness team.

Cating called for patience and understanding once the typhoon hits Baguio and Benguet and consumers will experience a power blackout since time is needed for the BENECO linemen to safely restore power.***LSI