THE Provincial Government of Capiz must work with other local government units (LGUs) in Panay Island to address the recurring power problems. “This will help us in crafting local ordinances or to seek alliance with other LGUs in the whole Panay Island to help address this seemingly never-ending power problems,” said Vice Governor James “Mitang” Magbanua. The Sangguniang Panlalawigan held a committee hearing last January 25 in the aftermath of the January 2-5, 2024 power blackout that affected the entire Panay Island. The vice governor urged the legislative government to do its share as the power problems have caused multi-million in damages. The Capiz Provincial Planning and Development Office (Capiz PPDO) reported that the province including the capital of Roxas City had economic losses amounting to more than P550 million.
“An estimated half a billion pesos of total economic losses incurred is not acceptable,” Magbanua emphasized. Engr. Edgar Diaz, general manager of Capiz Electric Cooperative (CAPELCO), said it was not CAPELCO’s fault. Diaz said that it was the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) that failed to take necessary and appropriate action as systems operator that caused the Panay- wide power blackout.
The local officials and business sectors are also calling on NGCP to finish the needed infrastructure projects to stabilize the Panay grid. Particularly, that NGCP completes the 230 kilovolt (kV) line that connects the major islands of the Visayas. This is part of the Transmission Development Plan (TDP).
“We demand an immediate solution by providing additional logistical support and fast-tracking the snail pace implementation of infrastructure projects that are long-overdue for a stable and reliable power
supply in the whole Panay Island,” added Magbanua.
