Masbate reopened its airport after completing storm damage repairs, but power restoration could take up to 30 days as crews work on nearly half of the province’s damaged distribution lines.
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) said on Monday, September 29, that flights at Masbate Airport resumed after workers completed urgent repairs to damage caused by Severe Tropical Storm Opong (international name Bualoi).
CAAP said airlines will decide their own flight schedules despite the airport’s readiness for operations. The storm caused an estimated P10 million to P15 million in structural damage, which prompted immediate clearing and safety work.
It added that airport workers cleared hazardous debris, installed temporary roofing on the passenger terminal, and restored power and internet to make the facility safe for use.
Meanwhile, Masbate Electric Cooperative (Maselco) reported that the storm damaged about 40 percent of its distribution lines across its coverage area, and its crews now prioritize repairs in Masbate City, with a one-week target for power restoration.
Maselco warned that restoring electricity in other affected areas could take up to 30 days, depending on the level of damage.
Blocked roads and communication gaps continue to slow assessments, Maselco said.
To speed up recovery, electric cooperatives from the Bicol region deployed additional linemen to Masbate through Task Force Kapatid, a bayanihan initiative that pools manpower during calamities.
Maselco said that they also coordinating with their partner cooperatives to address material and logistical shortages.*
Reymund Titong is a Filipino journalist steadily building his voice in the field of news reporting, driven by a commitment to tell meaningful and relevant stories.
He serves as a correspondent for Rappler, maintains a personal blog on Medium, and is the communications officer of Hope Builders Organization Negros Island.