Electricity being restored in Baguio, Benguet amid torrential rains, strong winds

Power restoration efforts are underway in Baguio City and the wider Benguet province, as the Benguet Electric Cooperative (BENECO) battles torrential rains and strong winds battering the region. The cooperative reported significant progress by Sunday noon, having restored electricity to 28.96% of its consumers in Baguio City, encompassing 44 out of 129 barangays.

Across BENECO's entire operational area, which includes Benguet, 37.32% of consumers have regained power. Crews are actively repairing damaged power facilities, but their work is hampered by the persistent inclement weather. Out of a total of 269 barangays served by BENECO, 95 have been re-energized so far.

Initial estimates place the cost of the damage at over P1.5 million, though BENECO acknowledges this figure is provisional and likely to increase as more reports come in. The cooperative has identified damage to at least seven transformers and 22 electric posts. Despite the challenges posed by continuous rain, strong winds, and potentially hazardous conditions, BENECO teams remain deployed to expedite the restoration process as safely as possible.