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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Luzon devider Iloilo governor warns of more blackout in Western Visayas unless NGCP infra completed

Iloilo governor warns of more blackout in Western Visayas unless NGCP infra completed

Published Jan 11, 2024 07:55 am

ILOILO CITY – Iloilo Gov. Arthur “Toto” Defensor Jr. sought the completion of National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) infrastructure to avert another massive blackout in Panay Island.

DEFENSOR ILOILO.jpg

Defensor particularly wants NGCP interconnection lines for the islands of Panay, Negros and Cebu finished.

“Kung hindi po ito magagawa, pa-ulit-ulit itong blackout (If this is not finished, the power blackouts will occur again and again),” said Defensor during the House Committee on Energy investigation on the blackout on Thursday, January 11.

The Department of Energy (DOE) had earlier said that the New Year blackout could have been prevented if only NGCP completed the 230-kilovolt (kV) line which was part of the Transmission Development Plan (TDP).

It noted that NGCP failed as systems operator following the unscheduled disturbances in coal-fired power plants in Iloilo on January 2, resulting in the blackout from January 2 to 5 that affected Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, and Iloilo provinces as well as Iloilo City, the capital of Western Visayas.

“The grid should be able to withstand the trips and the disturbances,” noted Defensor who also attended a Wednesday Senate hearing on the matter.

“A national grid without a backbone is a very weak national grid,” added Defensor.

Other officials from Iloilo and Western Visayas want the NGCP held accountable for the blackout during the Senate and House hearings.

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Blackout Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr.
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