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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider The Economy devider 'Isolated' brownout strikes while Department of Energy chief briefs media

'Isolated' brownout strikes while Department of Energy chief briefs media

Published May 15, 2025 02:10 pm

At A Glance

  • As of shortly past 3 p.m., the DOE was still grappling with a blackout, having switched to a generator 10 minutes after the power outage began.

An unexpected power outage could not have come at a more ironic moment, as the Department of Energy (DOE) experienced a brownout at its own head office in Taguig City during a press briefing led by the DOE chief himself.

During a press conference held by Energy Secretary Raphael P.M. Lotilla, Undersecretary Alessandro Sales, and EPIMB Assistant Director Luningning Baltazar, with members of the media, a 10-minute power outage occurred at the DOE building, between 12:35 p.m. and 12:45 p.m.

The unexpected power issue happened just as Lotilla was discussing the country’s power supply situation, among other updates and business movements in the energy sector.

According to the DOE and Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), it was caused by a load side problem, causing an isolated power interruption in the building itself.

Despite this, the press briefing continued until the lights came back on.

The distribution utility (DU) Meralco quickly deployed its linemen to address the sudden issue.

"We received the report on a sudden power interruption at a building inside the DOE compound and immediately deployed crews onsite. It appears to be a problem with loadside facility, as our crews found a blown fuse at the building," Meralco said in a statement.

"Meralco is currently assisting the DOE to identify the cause of the trouble and to restore service the soonest possible time," it added.
As of shortly past 3 p.m., the DOE was still grappling with a blackout, having switched to a generator 10 minutes after the power outage began.
(With report from Myrna M. Velasco)

Related Tags

Department of Energy (DOE) Raphael P.M. Lotilla Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) brownout
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