POE URGES GIANT PUBLIC UTILITIES TO HELP TYPHOON-DAMAGED AREAS

Senator Grace Poe today urged public utility companies to help in the restoration of essential services in areas affected by Typhoon Nina (international name: Nock-Ten).

Poe, chairperson of the Senate public services committee, said the much-needed assistance from companies such as Meralco, PLDT, Smart and Globe is crucial to help restore power in affected areas and aid the government in extending relief. Their support, the senator added, is vital in enabling residents to contact their loved ones.

"I urge our public utility companies to make this part of their corporate social responsibility efforts which would be most timely and meaningful to our kababayans now more than at any other time," said Poe.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported that 114 areas in Regions IV-A (Calabarzon), IV-B (Mimaropa) and V experienced power interruptions since Dec. 25, the day the typhoon made landfall in Catanduanes province. Eleven power lines in the said regions are still cut off.

Communications in several provinces were also affected, the NDRRMC said.

The Department of Energy and the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines also vowed immediate restoration works on transmission and power lines.

The government has so far extended P7.11 million worth of assistance to the impacted areas.