“Nu KAELCO lang mangub-ubra dita, kaanu ngay nga agkasilaw,’ KAELCO seeks help from LGUs for faster restoration of electricity in Kalinga

Tabuk City, Kalinga - The Kalinga-Apayao Electric Cooperative (KAELCO) has sought help from the provincial and local government units, and other concerned agencies to help fast track power restoration in areas affected by recent Super Typhoon Uwan by helping in road-clearing operations as it is crucial to resolving right-of-way issues along power lines.

The electric cooperative made this request during the meeting of the Provincial Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) chaired by Governor James S. Edduba, along with concerned agencies across the province, on November 11, 2025 at the Conference Hall of the provincial Capitol, Bulanao.

According to the KAELCO Information Officer Marshal Atiwag, power restoration stands at 89% in Tabuk and Rizal; 67% in Pinukpuk; and 22% in Lower Tanudan. Upper Tanudan remains inaccessible due to impassable roads, delaying full restoration. These forced the cooperative to request from the concerned agencies their assist through road-clearing and right-of-way operations.

“Madama ti inspection ngem ado talaga ti haan pay na-clear nga roads isunga haan kami makasrek for power restoration… during the meeting on November 7, the DILG instructed the LGUs on the ground to activate their road clearing operations para may katulungan si KAELCO doon sa right of way inquiry ng linya ng KAELCO. Kasi nu ni KAELCO lang mangub-ubra dita, kaanu ngay nga agkasilaw ti Pasil ken Tanudan?,” Atiwag said.

Atiwag also recounted that last year’s Typhoon Kristine showed the challenge of working alone where it took them a month to restore power in Tanudan, explaining that if the cooperative works alone, it could take much longer before electricity is fully restored in remote areas of municipalities such as Pasil and Tanudan.

“Last year, during the onslaught of Typhoon Katrina, it took 1 month nga ma-restore diay power idiay Tanudan ta ni KAELCO lang talaga ti naggargaraw. Ket I would like to reiterate what was said during the meeting about the conveyance of interrupted power is not KALECO’s concern only but rather, it is all our concern—where other agencies are involved. So may we ask for you to cater our request,” he added.

Meantime, Governor Edduba positively responded to the request and said he will issue an executive oder directing the LGUs in the province to provide help in road-clearing activities to pave the way for faster restoration of electricity across the province.