25 Cagayan Valley towns still have no electricity

By Charlie Lagasca

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya -- Power has yet to be restored in at least 25 towns in Isabela and Cagayan since typhoon “Juan” battered the region and the rest of northern Luzon last week.

Among Cagayan’s northern areas, which are reportedly without electricity yet, are the towns of Santa Praxedes, Claveria, Pamplona, Ballesteros, Sanchez Mira, Aparri, Santa Ana, Santa Teresita, Gonzaga, Buguey, Camalaniugan, Abulug, and Gattaran.

Some parts of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan’s capital, and the towns of Piat, Rizal, Sto. Niño, Enrile, Peñablanca, Solana, and Tuao also still have no power.

Power also has yet to be restored throughout Isabela’s northern part comprising the towns of Delfin Albano, Ilagan, Santo Tomas, San Mariano, Reina Mercedes, Tumauini, Aurora, Naguilian, Benito Soliven, Burgos, Gamu, Mallig, Quirino, Roxas and Quezon.

Isabela’s hard-hit towns of Maconacon, Palanan and Divilacan, which lie along the Pacific coast, are also without electricity.

The National Grid Corp. of the Philippines said it is doing its best to restore power in the region soonest.

According to reports, the NGCP has already repaired more than 50 percent of its transmission towers toppled by Juan’s strong winds.

Among the damaged power structures were the ones connecting power lines from Gamu, Isabela to Tuguegarao City.