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Blackout hampered growth of Western Visayas – Defensor

Philippines | Luzon

Blackout hampered growth of Western Visayas – Defensor

By Tara Yap

ILOILO CITY – Iloilo Gov. Arthur “Toto” Defensor Jr. said the New Year blackout hampered the growth of Western Visayas.

FEW lights illuminate downtown Iloilo City on January 4 following the massive blackout that started on January 2 and ended on January 5. (Tara Yap)

“This problem will stop the development of Iloilo City, Iloilo province, and the whole of Region 6 (Western Visayas). We cannot contribute to the development of the whole country,” said Defensor.

“(We have) to exhaust the power of the Executive branch to exact accountability from the players in the power sector to avoid similar problems from happening again,” Defensor added.

The massive blackout from January 2 to 5 was a repeat of the same incident last April. But this latest power interruption that hit Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, and Iloilo and this city was longer.

Defensor reiterated the call to government regulatory bodies such as the Department of Energy to review the compliance of the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) with the directives of the Marcos administration following the April blackout.

He also urged the Legislative branch to review existing laws for the power sector. “Maybe there is a need to legislate to improve the power sector.”

The Provincial Planning and Development Office headed by Mario Nillos is still computing the economic losses suffered by the province that consists of 42 towns and the component city of Passi from the blackout.

Related Tags

Blackout Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. Western Visayas

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