The road to recovery after Super Typhoon Uwan is proving long and difficult.
The Department of Energy (DOE) announced that it may take up to a month to fully restore electricity in areas devastated by the storm’s powerful winds and relentless rain.
According to a report by Bernadette Reyes on 24 Oras, around 17 million people — or 3.4 million families — remain without power. Entire communities in Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur continue to live in darkness as power lines lie twisted and broken.
DOE Secretary Sharon Garin acknowledged the frustration but appealed for understanding.
“I know power restoration may take some time, but the damage is extensive. I’m asking everyone for patience,” she said with concern.
The DOE assured the public that priority restoration efforts are focused on hospitals, evacuation centers, water systems, and command hubs — the lifelines of every affected community.
To speed up the process, the department is considering sending linemen from Mindanao and activating nearby power plants to help bridge the supply gap.
The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) reported that over 10 transmission lines across Luzon and Visayas remain down, while nine power plants are still under repair.
Meanwhile, Meralco announced a 15-centavo increase per kilowatt-hour in November. That means households consuming 200 kWh will pay about ₱30 more, while those using 500 kWh may see an increase of ₱76 in their monthly bills.
For millions still waiting in the dark, the message is clear — recovery will take time, but help is on the way.
