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Deputy Majority Leader Iloilo 3rd district Rep. Lorenz Defensor took to task government agencies for their perceived lack of action on the blackouts in Western Visayas, particularly in his home province.

Defensor specifically called out the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) and the Department of Energy (DOE) during an investigation Thursday, Jan. 11 of the House Committee on Energy. He also mentioned the Philippine Electricity Market Corporation (PEMC).

"This is the second major blackout and Iloilo being a premiere city and province, we have lost billions [of] pesos and a significant risk to the healthcare system," the visibly irate congressman said.

Defensor was referring to the widespread power outage that struck Panay and Negros islands on Jan. 2. The blackout in Iloilo would last for three days.

It was also the second major power interruption in the area since April 2023.

Defensor sought the result of the independent investigation of the ERC, DOE, and PEMC ECO (Enforcement and Compliance Office) regarding the April incident. "Mayroon na ba kayong naisyuhan ng notice of violation? Naimposan ng penalty? (Have you issued a notice of violation? Have you imposed penalties?)" he asked.

"I can't believe that for a period of almost a year, wala tayong resolution (we have not had any resolution) from the government agencies that are supposed to oversee the energy industry, especially Iloilo na pangalawang bases nang nangyari ito (This is the second time this has happened)," he said.

"We want to see in the final committee report that someone would be held accountable and someone would be penalized for this occurrence in the province of Iloilo," the House leader further said.

Attending Thursday's hearing were officials of privately-owned grid operator National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) led by its president, Anthony Almeda.

"It is important to emphasize that we handled the system in compliance with the rules and using resources at our disposal during that period," Almeda said.

He commiserated with the solons like Defensor over the blackout, which has adversely affected local residents and businesses.

"We support the green energy initiative of government, but we ask the green baseload technologies like Baseload Nuclear be explored. We want to be part of the solution, but NGCP cannot do it alone," noted Almeda.

The official sought the cooperation of stakeholders and the entire government "to ensure the stability of transmission services that will support the reliable power supply for Filipinos".

"We need generation plus us transmission and distribution," he said.