MOST barangays in Lapu-Lapu City are still struggling with their internet connection and electricity nearly two months after Typhoon Odette (Rai) devastated the city on Dec. 16, 2021.

This was what Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) President and Bankal Barangay Captain Eduardo Cuizon told SunStar Cebu on Monday, Jan. 7, 2022.

Cuizon said houses located in the interior portions of the barangays and even those located along the road still don’t have electricity.

His statement contradicted the claim of Mactan Electric Company (Meco), which said it had already restored 95 percent or 99,589 of its 104,831 consumers as of Feb. 2.

Aside from power woes, Cuizon also claimed that internet connections from service providers are still zero in their city.

Cuizon did not specify which barangays that are still having problems with electricity aside from Bankal. Lapu-Lapu City comprises 30 barangays.

Ahong’s action

Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan announced on his Facebook page on Monday, Feb. 7, that restoration efforts of internet service providers have been hampered by toppled posts and fallen trees that caused fiber connections to break.

Chan said technicians from the internet providers are scattered around the city in an unsystematic manner, which he said proved to be inefficient.

The mayor has launched a data-driven approach in creating an efficient route to be followed by the technicians to maximize their output per day.

The data gathered from residents whose internet connections are not yet restored will be forwarded to the service providers for further assessment.

Chan further stated that they are also doing the same thing to help Meco in its energization efforts.

On the supply of water in Lapu-Lapu City, the ABC president said that it is no longer a problem since the supply is now in its normal status and there are also other sources like artesian wells.