DPWH tree cutting helps power coops

The tree cutting drive of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) along the national roads in Camarines Sur has substantially reduced damages to electric poles and power lines during Typhoon “Quinta,” officials of two electric cooperatives in the province said.

In separate interviews, Camarines Sur I Electric Cooperative (Casureco I) general manager Ann Sylvia Alsisto and Casureco II spokesman Rinner Bucay, both said that there were less damage to the electric cooperatives’ poles and power lines because there were less road obstructions because of fallen trees along the roads, thus speeding up their restoration activities.

They said before it took them several days to restore electricity supply in their areas of coverage because of fallen trees along the national roads, making it difficult for their repair crews to fix their power lines.

Now it just took us 24 to 48 hours to restore power supply because of the absence of those obstructions, they said.

According to Bucay a total of 41 poles were affected by “Quinta,” 15 of which are in Naga City, 20 in Pili and 6 in Milaor.

The damaged poles in Naga City are located in barangays Pacol, Carolina, Cararayan, and Concepcion Grande.

The latest DPWH tree cutting activities removed 20 trees of various species along the national road in Concepcion Grande and Pequeña.

The tree cutting was covered by Special Tree Cutting Permit No. R5-Iriga-2020-013-DPWH issued by the CENRO Iriga City.

Earlier attempts by the DPWH to cut trees along the national road in Naga-San Felipe-Carolina area for its road widening project were met with oppositions from environmentalists who filed cases and were granted temporary restraining order that stopped the cutting of trees.

Alsisto and Bucay said the DPWH tree cutting activities also help the their cooperatives in the implementation of Republic Act No. 11361 or the Anti-Obstruction of Power Lines Act, which allow power firms to cut trees obstructing power lines even without DENR permit.

CLEANING OPERATION. Personnel of LGU Naga’s General Services Office and Solid Waste Management Office partner with city and barangay officials, employees and residents in the conduct of 2-day city-wide clean-up drive that began several hours after Typhoon Quinta wrought havoc in Bicol Region on Oct. 25, this year. VIC VILLAFLOR/CEPPIO