| JUNE 2026 |
GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Philippines - In a swift response to the devastating magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck General Santos City and nearby provinces on June 8, 2026, the Bukidnon II Electric Cooperative, Inc. (BUSECO) immediately mobilized its Task Force Kapatid (TFK) contingents to assist in emergency power restoration efforts across hard-hit areas in Mindanao.
Mobilized on the same day as the earthquake following directives from the National Electrification Administration (NEA) and the Association of Mindanao Rural Electric Cooperatives (AMRECO), the team was led by General Manager Cristopher A. Dulfo and Engineering & Technical Services Department Manager Rey Ann A. Baul. The BUSECO contingents departed for General Santos City to extend vital technical assistance to neighboring electric cooperatives, including SOCOTECO II and SUKELCO.
Ground Operations and Early Challenges
Upon arrival, BUSECO lineworkers immediately plunged into high-priority operations, focusing on pole replacement and the alignment of leaning structures necessary to stabilize damaged electrical grids. Despite navigating hazardous ground fractures and lingering aftershocks, crews worked alongside fellow electric cooperative responders to rebuild critical infrastructure step by step.
Operations expanded into Glan, Sarangani—one of the municipalities most severely affected by the offshore epicenter. Coinciding with the nation's commemoration of Philippine Independence Day during the initial phase of deployment, the BUSECO teams joined collective regional restoration efforts in a demonstration of solidarity and the bayanihan spirit.
Navigating Landslide Zones
By the ninth day of deployment, BUSECO’s TFK contingent advanced its mission to Barangay Kapatan in Glan, Sarangani. Crews focused on constructing a replacement 69kV transmission line after the original infrastructure was obliterated by earthquake-triggered landslides.
As field personnel continue to execute complex line corrections and structural builds under demanding environmental conditions, BUSECO calls on the public for continued prayers for the safety, protection, and guidance of all linemen and ground personnel dedicated to bringing safe and reliable power back to affected Mindanao families.
A Commitment Beyond Boundaries
Beyond the physical labor of replacing poles and clearing debris, the mission of Task Force Kapatid serves as a powerful reminder that energy is more than just electricity, it is the lifeline of recovery. In the face of disaster, BUSECO's lineworkers prove that true light isn't just delivered through wires, but through the unwavering resolve of a united nation standing together in its darkest hours. As long as communities remain in need, BUSECO stands ready, rebuilding hope one pole, one line, and one community at a time.
