The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) is currently conducting restoration works on four steel towers of the 138-kilovolt (kV) Ormoc-Maasin line in Baybay, Leyte after being toppled due to landslides caused by Tropical Storm Agaton.

NGCP deployed 13 line gangs or over 100 line personnel to conduct clearing and simultaneous restoration works in three tower sites, while one tower site remains inaccessible due to continued rains and unstable terrain.

The line gangs will be installing Emergency Restoration Systems, as NGCP aims to temporarily restore the line by this Monday (April 18), though the grid firm said this will depend on the weather situation by then.

“As we wait for weather conditions to improve, the company is simultaneously preparing all resources needed to expedite restoration works, especially once we assess the remaining area. We are coordinating with concerned local government units and other relevant entities for the assistance needed,” NGCP said in a statement.

Bohol, which is 60% dependent on Leyte for its power needs, was cut off again from the Visayas Grid again on Monday with the tripping of the Ormoc-Maasin line due to rains from Agaton. The Ormoc-Maasin line is connected to the 138kV Maasin-Ubay line, which hosts the Leyte-Bohol interconnection and the temporary special towers in Bohol. 

Bohol was reconnected to the Visayas Grid in February, two months after Typhoon Odette toppled the original special towers in December 2021. NGCP aims to energize the two new permanent special towers by April 30 – nine days before the May 9 presidential elections.