15-hour blackout cripples businesses in Bohol

Some establishments in Tagbilaran City, Bohol opt to close shops on Saturday due to the 15-hour blackout. Inquirer Visayas / Leo Udtohan

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol—Some establishments in Bohol closed down on Saturday because of  a 15-hour blackout on the island-province due to an annual preventive maintenance work of the power grid’s systems.

The blackout started at 4 a.m. when the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) had scheduled to service the equipment in the towns of in Ubay and Corella.

Power was expected to be restored at 7 p.m., said Betty Martinez, spokesperson of NGCP-Visayas.

Some business establishments in the capital city of Tagbilaran closed shops on Saturday morning since these didn’t have generator sets.

But Martinez said the preventive maintenance had to push through after its schedule was moved thrice.

A power barge in Ubay that could generate 15 megawatts, was utilized to help provide power even if it was minimal. /jpv