By Michelle Ducut
The Benguet Electric Cooperative (Beneco) announced that 99.54% of its 233,411 consumer connections had electricity restored as of Thursday morning, following the devastation caused by Super Typhoon Pepito (international name: Man-yi).
According to Laarni Ilagan of Beneco’s Corporate Communications Office, restoration teams are focusing on the remaining affected areas, particularly in northern Benguet. These include parts of Sagpat and Poblacion in Kibungan (Circuit 1), Gusaran in Kabayan, and several barangays in Bokod (Circuit 2), as well as sections of Barangay Madaymen in Kibungan, Ampusongan, Baculongan Sur, and Sebang in Bakun (Circuit 4).
The delays in restoration are attributed to road closures and unstable terrain caused by landslides. Significant damage included 28 electric poles and four transformers, totaling approximately PHP2.1 million in losses.
Beneco assured the public that restoration efforts will continue over the weekend, with personnel concentrated in the most affected municipalities of Benguet. Electricity in Baguio City has been fully restored.
The cooperative remains hopeful that operations will proceed without encountering further complications in the power lines.