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[av_heading heading=’‘28 brownouts in June’ ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA
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Friday, June 30, 2017
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ILOILO City – In the month of June alone, the service areas of Iloilo Electric Cooperative 1 (Ileco 1) experienced power interruptions 28 times.
General Manager Rhea Palacios blamed “80 percent” of the unscheduled brownouts to pesky trees, vines and the animals that inhabit them.
Ileco 1 serves the towns of Oton, Tigbauan, Guimbal, Miag-ao, San Joaquin, San Miguel, Alimodian, Igbaras, Tubungan, Leon, Santa Barbara, Pavia, Cabatuan, Maasin, and Leganes.
In a meeting with Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr. yesterday, Palacios said road widening projects that entailed the relocation of electric posts caused brownouts, too.
“While the road widening is there, sige man kami pa-schedule power interruptions,” said Palacios.
As to the unwanted vegetation tripping power lines, Palacios assured the governor they have started removing them and hoped to finish the job before the expected typhoons start hitting this rainy season.
“Nagpromisa sila nga kwaon gid nila tanan-tanan,” said Defensor.
He also conferred with general managers Redmond Roquios and Consorcia Peñaranda of Ileco 2 and 3, respectively.
“Sa Ileco 2 and 3 wala sila ‘ya problem sa road widening and transfer of posts. Sige man kuno ila utod sang kahoy. Nakapromisa sila nga beginning this week wala na kita power interruption due to trees or plants,” said Defensor.
The other reasons the managers cited for the brownouts were the momentary power interruptions by the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) and inclement weather.
NGCP is in charge of the operation, maintenance and improvement of state-owned national transmission facilities and system.
All the three electric cooperatives assured the governor there was sufficient power supply coming from different sources.
They also said the public will be informed of brownouts beforehand.
Despite the general managers’ explanations and assurances, however, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan will conduct a full-blown investigation on the frequent power interruptions.
Board member Domingo Oso Jr., chairperson of the committee on transportation and public utilities, said he was still receiving more complaints against the three electric cooperatives.
The managers of the three cooperatives as well as representatives of NGCP, National Electrification Administration and other stakeholders will be summoned, said Oso.
Ileco 2 serves the towns of Pototan, Mina, Dingle, Dueñas, Passi City, San Enrique, Bingawan, Calinog, Lambunao, Badiangan, Janiuay, New Lucena, Zarraga, Barotac Nuevo, and Dumangas.
On the other hand, Ileco 3 serves the towns of Anilao, Banate, Barotac Viejo, San Rafael, Ajuy, Lemery, Sara, Concepcion, San Dionisio, Batad, Baladan, Estancia, and Carles./PN
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