By: Laarni Ilagan

The Benguet Electric Cooperative (BENECO) has acquired a new ₱15-million insulated truck, a significant addition to its fleet aimed at improving power restoration and ensuring the safety of linemen working on high-voltage lines.

Veteran lineman Rufo Madilat, who has 33 years of service and is among the few authorized to operate BENECO’s heavy maintenance trucks, emphasized the importance of the new unit.

“No awan ti trucks nga mausar, ma-paralyze ti construction tayo, bumayag ti restoration,” Madilat said during the truck’s testing and turnover last August 7, 2025 at BENECO’s headquarters in South Drive, Baguio City.

The new vehicle, a digger derrick, features a fully electric auger, basket, and crane, allowing linemen to safely perform hotline or live-line work.

The truck was delivered and turned over by GeoExpert Construction, Inc. President Karlo Santos, which won the project bidding and retrofitted the unit to meet BENECO’s specifications.

“It met our requirements, such as being fully insulated for hotline operations and capable of carrying maximum load capacity for poles and transformers,” said Roy Olatic, senior construction and maintenance office engineer.

Out of BENECO’s 12 heavy maintenance trucks, this is the fifth insulated truck the cooperative acquired. Olatic noted that having more usable trucks help accelerate project implementation and power restoration. Although the truck is primarily for hotline tasks, it may also be used for other maintenance work when available.

In a related development, BENECO received a 50 MVA power transformer last July 29 for its Lamut, Beckel Substation, significantly improving the reliability, resilience and capacity of service to over 31,000 consumers. According to technical department manager Fraiser Angayen, the transformer is scheduled for commissioning in August 2025.