MANILA, (PNA) — Malacanang reported Thursday that the energy department was able to restore power to all towns of Bohol affected by the quake.
Presidential Communications Operations Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said in a press briefing Thursday that 100 percent of all the towns have been energized, of which 83 percent of barangays have also been energized, and 62 percent of the households now have power.
“Ulitin natin: Lahat po ng bayan sa lalawigan ng Bohol, 100 percent po sa lahat ng munisipalidad at bayan at siyudad ay mayroon ng enerhiya o kuryente,” he said.
The government has considered many factors in restoring power, Coloma said noting energy wasn’t fully restored at barangay and household levels because of the concerns on the integrity of the structures.
Experts want to ensure that there are no structural defects or exposed power lines, before electricity is restored to avoid accidents.
Coloma said Task Force Kapatid is helping the Department of Energy assess homes in Bohol damaged by the quake. Task Force Kapatid is composed on 215 volunteers, he said.
The Palace official also thanked fuel dealers in Bohol after they made a commitment of not increasing gasoline prices, at least this week.
Reporting on the conditions of hospitals in Bohol, Coloma said that based on the assessment by the Department of Health (DOH), there are three hospitals that need rehabilitation.
“Nauna nang gumawa ng assessment ang mga engineers sa Department of Health, at tutulungan po ng DPWH ang DOH na ibalik sa tamang kondisyon ang lahat ng mga naapektuhang pasilidad,” Coloma said during the press briefing.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines is also active in relief operations, using its naval and air assets, Coloma said.
According to him, the military reported that a total of 262,176 kilos of relief goods were shipped by the Philippine Navy, mostly coming from Dumaguete, Aklan, and Cebu.
The Philippine Air Force on the other hand used its C-130 planes to deliver the goods, logistics, and supplies coming from Manila. The air force is also using seven helicopters to reach isolated areas.
Out of the 411,680 kilos delivered, 36,287 kilos have been distributed, Coloma said.
The DSWD spearheads the repacking of relief goods, each food pack good for a family of five, Coloma noted.
“Ang direktiba ng ating Pangulo ay dapat kumpleto ‘yung distribution ng two-week food packs. Ibig sabihin, ang bawat pamilyang apektado dapat makatanggap ng pagkain na puwedeng mag-sustento sa kanilang pamilya sa loob ng dalawang linggo. At ang direktiba sa DSWD, dapat ay maganap na ito by October 30 or six days from now,” he said.
Coloma also said Bohol Governor Edgar Chato, who heads the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council of Bohol, reported to the President about the launch of Diskwento Caravan in cooperation with the trade department.
The caravan will cover the towns of Loon, Antequera, Maribojoc, Tubigon and Sagbayan. This is aimed bringing back to normal trade in the province.
The caravan will also help residents have access to goods in the market following the October 15 quake, Coloma said.