Thieves take transformers from Yolanda-hit Leyte power coop

The Leyte II Electric Cooperative (Leyeco II) said restoration of power in two villages will be hampered following the theft of two units in their service area, state-run Philippines News Agency reported. Leyeco II general manager Ma. Rosario Avestruz said thieves had made off with two transformers in Caibaan and Cogon villages in San Jose District.

She asked local officials to help secure the power transformers in their barangays. “I am calling (for) the cooperation and participation of the barangay officials to help the cooperative in preserving the transformers in their barangay so that it would be easy for us to restore their electric lines,” Avestruz said. She said the cooperative will have problems finding replacements, and as a result will have difficulty restoring power in the area.

Power is still being restored in parts of the Visayas, which Yolanda battered when it passed through the country last Nov. 8. The Department of Energy earlier gave itself until Dec. 24 to restore power to Yolanda-hit areas.