KALIBO, Aklan – The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry-Aklan (PCCI-Aklan) has filed a resolution asking the national government to fast track the restoration of electricity in the province.
PCCI-Aklan president Ramel Buncalan said the province needs full electricity as the town prepares for the Ati-Atihan Festival slated Jan. 17 to 19.
“We recognize the effort of the Aklan Electric Cooperative (Akelco) in their quick response to restore electricity in the province. However, their manpower and equipment are not enough to restore power all over Aklan in the soonest, thus, we hope the national government would exert more help,” Buncalan said, adding the province suffered a total blackout after typhoon “Ursula” struck the region on Dec. 25.
PCCI-Aklan secretary Guidon Dela Cruz said business organizations were also aware of the help of line workers and technical personnel from Iloilo, Zamboanga del Norte, Antique, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte, and Bukidnon – with their utility trucks – in the restoration efforts.
A report said over 850 electric posts were toppled at the height of typhoon “Ursula’s” onslaught in Akelco’s franchise area while its initial damage to power distribution infrastructure has already reached P73 million.
The final damage assessment report on Jan. 3 showed eight people were killed and 462,395 individuals or 127,074 families were affected due to the typhoon, according to Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office here./PN
