ILOILO CITY – A massive power blackout hit Panay Island as well as the island-province of Guimaras on Monday, Feb. 20.
The National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP), which transmits electricity from power generators to power distributors, automatically shut off its lines after detecting a disturbance to protect its system.
“At 11:24 a.m. of 20 February 2023, NGCP monitored a system disturbance which affected the entire Panay sub-grid,” said the NGCP said in a statement.
“NGCP is investigating the root cause of the incident and is currently expediting power restoration efforts for affected areas,” NGCP added.
Affected areas include Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, and Iloilo provinces as well as Iloilo City, the regional capital.
Prior to the announcement from NGCP, consumers blamed the lack of electricity to power distributors in their areas.
The Antique Electric Cooperative Inc. (ANTECO), Aklan Electric Cooperative Inc. (AKELCO), Capiz Electric Cooperative Inc. (CAPELCO), Guimaras Electric Cooperative Inc. (GUIMELCO), the three Iloilo Electric Cooperatives Inc. (ILECOs), and MORE Electric and Power Corp. (MORE Power) of Iloilo City had to issue separate statements clarifying the matter.
The restoration of power services in affected areas varied as of posting time. MORE Power was only able to restore in one portion of Iloilo City.
Power outage was also reported in various areas of Negros Occidental.