Western Visayas blackouts hit

ILOILO CITY—Businesses in Western Visayas are seeking an explanation from electric suppliers, distributors and the transmission utility company for the two blackouts that hit the region this week.

“The blackouts significantly affected businesses and the economy,” said Donna Rose Ratilla, Western Visayas governor of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Two blackouts hit Panay Island and Guimaras within a span of about 15 hours since Tuesday evening until Wednesday, triggering public outrage.

The blackouts left the entire provinces of Antique, Aklan, Capiz, Guimaras and Iloilo without electricity. Parts of Negros Island were also affected by low and fluctuating voltage.

In a statement, the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines said the 138-kilovolt Negros-Panay submarine cable tripped at 8:02 a.m. on Wednesday, causing the coal plants of Global Business Power Corp. in Iloilo City and Palm Concepcion Power Corp. in Concepcion town in Iloilo to trip as well.