Pangasinan (2 June) -- The National Transmission Corporation (TransCo) said it has restored power to all its customers on Wednesday following the repair and energization of its facilities damaged by tropical storm "Cosme."

This after Transco successfully re-energized on May 28 the latest remaining line, the Binmaley 2-San Carlos 69-kV line in Pangasinan.

TransCo had earlier energized the 230-kV Botolan-Labrador line on May 25, Sunday, and three other 69-kV lines the next day.

Repair works have been significantly hampered by accessibility issues in the various repair sites. Some towers that need to be replaced are located in muddy agricultural areas.

Cosme's strong winds pounded northern Luzon, notably Pangasinan, La Union, Zambales, and Bataan the previous weekend, toppling three TransCo steel towers and causing another to lean. "Cosme" also toppled or broke over 120 TransCo wood poles and left leaning 127 more.

TransCo North Luzon Operation and Maintenance Asst. VP Fernando Abesamis said line repair crews worked double time to fast track the repair and re-energization of lines and substations in the affected areas. Linemen from other TransCo district offices in North Luzon also helped the repair teams in affected areas, particularly in Pangasinan, to hasten the restoration process.

After completion of TransCo's restoration works, Abesamis added they are now assisting power distribution utilities expedite the restoration of power in households, quite a number of which still has no electricity.

TransCo also conducted relief operations on May 22 for residents of Sta. Cruz, Zambales, one of the towns most badly-hit by "Cosme."

In Dagupan City, the central business district or the downtown area received power a week after Cosme battered the province. Twelve days after the storm, most of the city's barangays were energized. (PIA/Transco)