The Department of Energy (DOE) clarified that the two widespread power outages that hit Western Visayas last week were not due to power supply shortage in the Visayas.
WV, composed by the islands of Panay, Negros and Guimaras, experienced the massive blackouts last October 29 and 30.
Engineer Jose Rey Maleza, DOE-Visayas director, said the blackouts were caused by “technical trouble”.
“Ang natabo to ya technical trouble, indi gid na malikawan,” he said.
Maleza assured that there is adequate supply of electricity in the Visayas.
“I am hoping mapadayon ni siya ang normal operations until such time nga mag-abot sa December. So far, subong wala naman kita nakita nga problema,” he said.
According to Maleza, their central office is now conducting an investigation to find out the root cause of the blackouts.
The first widespread blackout occurred at 5:27 p.m. last Oct. 29.
According to the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), it monitored a “grid disturbance” which resulted in the loss of power on the islands.
NGCP operates, maintains and develops the country’s state-owned power grid, an interconnected system that transmits electricity from where it is produced to where it is needed.
Another massive blackout transpired around 8:02 a.m. last Oct. 30. It irked consumers of power distributors Panay Electric Company (PECO), Iloilo Electric Cooperatives (ILECO) I, II and III, Guimaras Electric Cooperative (GUIMELCO), Antique Electric Cooperative (ANTECO), Capiz Electric Cooperative (CAPELCO) and Aklan Electric Cooperation (AKELCO).
Michelle Visera, NGCP regional corporate communications and public affairs officer, said it was due to the “tripping of the 138kV Negros – Panay submarine cable.”IMT
