THE Cebu City Council has encouraged barangay officials to tap licensed electrical engineers in their respective barangays to help in the ongoing reenergization efforts in the city.

Councilor David Tumulak told SunStar Cebu Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, said volunteers can help in hastening and reducing the workload of linemen from the Visayan Electric Company and other electric companies helping to restore electricity in the city in the wake of Typhoon Odette (Rai), which caused a widespread blackout after it toppled poles and power lines during its onslaught on Thursday evening, Dec. 16, 2021.

The councilor said the volunteers can assess and repair electrical lines inside houses and those leading to electric poles.

“By this effort, along with barangay workers and volunteers, we can fast-track the energization,” Tumulak said.

Power restoration

Visayan Electric targeted to reenergize 80 percent or 379,346 of its 474,182 consumers by Jan. 10.

As of noon of Jan. 9, Visayan Electric announced on its Facebook page that it was able to energize 45.5 percent or 215,796 of its affected customers within its franchise area—the cities of Cebu, Mandaue, Talisay and Naga, and the municipalities of San Fernando, Minglanilla, Consolacion and Liloan.

The electric company previously announced that it aims to restore power to 30 percent or 142,255 of its consumers by Dec. 31, which it failed to meet; 80 percent or 379,346 of its consumers by Jan. 10; and 100 percent or 474,182 consumers by Jan. 31

Tumulak’s resolution

Tumulak said the resolution he proposed was approved by the City Council last Wednesday, Jan. 5.

The councilor said barangay officials together with barangay-employed electricians can identify and invite electrical engineers or electricians to volunteer for the city.

“In this time of recovery from Typhoon Odette, we should work hand-in-hand since many of our people rely on power,” said Tumulak.