The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) has set a target to replace the remaining 55 wooden poles in Tacloban City and its surrounding areas by the end of 2025, aiming to improve the reliability of power transmission. Ricardo Lozano, the district manager for Leyte and Samar, explained during a recent press conference that the project, originally slated for completion in 2024, faced delays due to requests from local businesses to postpone the work.
Lozano emphasized the need for cooperation from power consumers, as the replacement process requires power outages lasting up to 12 hours for every 10 poles replaced. These outages are typically scheduled for weekends to minimize disruption. The power supply to Tacloban, a key regional hub, and the nearby towns of Palo and Babatngon in Leyte, is facilitated by the Babatngon-Arado 69 kilovolt transmission line, serving over 90,000 consumers.
Leyte has been identified as a priority area for upgrading due to its susceptibility to typhoons. The new transmission lines are designed to withstand winds up to 300 kph, ensuring continued service even after severe weather events. The current wooden poles, which date back to the era before the privatization of the National Power Corp., are outdated and less reliable.
A recent power outage during New Year’s celebrations, which lasted from 10:11 p.m. on December 31, 2024, to 7:45 a.m. on January 1, 2025, was attributed to a cut conductor near Diit village in Tacloban City. This incident underscored the urgency of the pole replacement project, which NGCP and Leyeco 2 discussed in a press briefing to explain the necessary power shutdowns.