Power infra restoration efforts ongoing after magnitude 7.8 Mindanao earthquake

The Department of Energy (DOE) on Tuesday said the restoration efforts for affected power infrastructure are underway following the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that jolted Southern Mindanao.

In a statement, the DOE said its personnel, along with the National Electrification Administration’s (NEA), are now on the ground working alongside electric cooperatives, distribution utilities, and other energy stakeholders to facilitate the safe restoration of electricity services in affected areas.

The Energy Department said damage assessments and system inspections of generation, transmission and other distribution facilities continue to determine the full extent of the impact and guide the orderly restoration of power in areas that remain affected, while electricity services have already been restored in several communities where conditions permit safe re-energization.

The agency said it has instructed all concerned energy stakeholders to give priority to the restoration of electricity services to facilities critical to public safety and emergency response, including hospitals, evacuation centers, water facilities, communication systems, and other vital installations; in line with directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to prioritize the immediate restoration of essential services in earthquake-affected areas.

In the power generation sector, the SMC Malita Coal Plant's two generating units, with a combined capacity of 300 megawatts (MW), have been affected and remain offline, with Unit 1 targeted for restoration by June 10, 2026 and Unit 2 by June 13, 2026, according to the DOE.

The two units of the Sarangani Energy Corporation Coal Plant, totaling 237 MW, have also been affected and remain under emergency shutdown while assessments are being conducted, with both units initially targeted for restoration by June 10, 2026, the Energy Department added.

In off-grid areas, the Sarangani Diesel Power Plants continue to operate normally, it said.

However, the DOE said damage to distribution lines prevented the delivery of electricity to an estimated 1,149 consumer connections while restoration activities are underway.

Meanwhile, the Microgrid System Provider serving Balut Island, Power Source Philippines, Inc. (PSPI), is also non-operational, affecting 949 households across eight barangays, it added.

Target restoration of plant facilities is on June 16, 2026, while assessment and line-clearing activities for the distribution lines are still ongoing, according to the DOE.

It said that these activities have been hampered by heavy rainfall and obstruction caused by earthquake-induced landslides.

Transmission facilities in portions of Southwestern Mindanao have also been affected following the earthquake, it added.

The DOE added it has directed the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) to fast-track assessment and restoration activities to ensure the swift and safe recovery of affected transmission services.

The Matanao–General Santos 138-kilovolt (kV) Line 2 remains out of service, while two transformers at the General Santos Substation remain unavailable pending assessment.

As a result, transmission services in General Santos City have yet to be fully restored.

At the distribution level, restoration efforts have resulted in significant progress, with South Cotabato I Electric Cooperative (SOCOTECO I) returning to normal operations, after June 8, 2026 total power interruption.

Meanwhile, Davao del Sur Electric Cooperative (DASURECO) and South Cotabato II Electric Cooperative (SOCOTECO II) continue to experience partial power interruptions, with restoration efforts ongoing for a total of 157,263 consumer connections.

In addition, Davao Light and Power Company remains under partial power interruption, affecting an estimated 500 customer connections.

To bolster ongoing restoration activities, the DOE, in coordination with NEA, has activated Task Force Kapatid (TFK) and deployed personnel on the ground to support affected electric cooperatives in accelerating restoration efforts.

The deployment includes 62 personnel, six service vehicles, and seven boom trucks from the Northern Mindanao Electric Cooperatives Association (NORMECA), representing seven electric cooperatives.

Additional teams from Davao del Sur Electric Cooperative (DASURECO) and Cotabato Electric Cooperative, Inc.-PPALMA (COTELCO-PPALMA) have likewise been mobilized, contributing six personnel each, along with one service vehicle and one boom truck per cooperative.

"TFK will be working alongside our electric cooperatives and distribution utilities to accelerate restoration efforts and reinforce local response capacities," said Energy Secretary Sharon Garin.

"DOE personnel are on the ground coordinating with our partners and assessing immediate needs to ensure that response efforts remain swift and responsive. While electricity services have already been restored in several affected areas, significant work remains in communities that continue to experience disruptions,” said Garin.

She added that “we have instructed all responding teams to prioritize the restoration of power to facilities that support emergency response and the delivery of essential services.”

The DOE assured the public that it will maintain its on-the-ground presence in the affected areas and continue to work closely with concerned agencies, local government units, electric cooperatives, and industry.

stakeholders to expedite restoration efforts, with public safety remaining the foremost consideration in all response activities. --VAL, GMA News