BENECO Works Closely with NGCP to Fast-Track Power Restoration in Northern Benguet
In Photo: Emmanuel M Mangaoil, District Senior Manager. Robert A. Ranchez, Transmission Line Manager, Melma Batario- Gov’t. Relations and Regional Affairs Officer with BENECO AGM Art Bacoco and Laarni Sibayan Ilagan, Corporate Communications Media Relations Officer in charge. (BENECO File Photo)
BECKEL, LA TRINIDAD — The Benguet Electric Cooperative (BENECO) intensifies coordination with the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) to accelerate power restoration in its franchise areas, particularly in the northern Benguet municipalities of Atok, Buguias, Kabayan, and Mankayan.
BENECO Assistant General Manager Artemio Bacoco personally visited the NGCP office in Beckel, La Trinidad, to obtain updates on the status of the remaining unenergized transmission lines supplying these areas.
“We need to closely coordinate with our partner in providing power in our franchise area regarding the latest status of restoration of the remaining un-energized transmission system supplying BENECO’s Atok, Sinipsip, and Mankayan substations,” Bacoco said.
Partial restoration is already underway. Mankayan’s poblacion was energized last night, November 13, after NGCP resumed power supply to BENECO’s Bulalacao Substation.
The cooperative also expects its Atok Substation to be energized anytime today, pending NGCP’s correction of a leaning transmission pole at Camp 30, Atok.
The restoration follows the extensive damage caused by Super Typhoon Uwan, which toppled about 104 backbone line poles across BENECO’s distribution system—57 of which were in northern Benguet, particularly in Buguias, Atok, and Kabayan.
BENECO crews have been working round-the-clock to rebuild distribution lines in areas already cleared and ready to receive power once NGCP resumes full transmission despite the challenging terrain in hauling materials, thick fog at night that forces them to stop, and road closures due to landslides.
Power supply to northern Benguet—and onward to the Mountain Province Electric Cooperative, Inc. (MOPRECO)—went offline on the night of November 9 when Typhoon Uwan struck Baguio City and Benguet, forcing NGCP to shut down affected transmission lines.
NGCP District Senior Manager Emmanuel M. Mangaoil and Transmission Line Manager Robert A. Ranchez cited the severe challenges faced by their teams in restoring Benguet’s transmission backbone. The rugged mountain terrain and changing weather conditions in northern Benguet have significantly slowed line patrol and repair efforts.
“Compared to the lowlands, NGCP’s lineworkers can easily check five towers. Up here, when the fog is thick, they can only see one tower while conducting line patrols. They really need to hike for one or two hours in the mountains, so it’s easier to restore in the lowlands,” Mangaoil explained.
He added that many NGCP structures are difficult to reach due to distant access roads, numerous fallen trees blocking trails, and weak communication signals—all of which complicate personnel coordination, safety checks, and line clearing.
While BENECO awaits the full restoration of NGCP’s transmission lines, the cooperative is simultaneously rebuilding its distribution network down to the household level. Hardest-hit municipalities—including Buguias, Bakun, and Kabayan—may require up to two weeks for full restoration due to massive damage along major distribution backbones.
Despite these challenges, BENECO commits to energizing all three hardest-hit municipalities at the soonest and safest possible time. (LSI)
