BY IME SORNITO AND JEN BAYLON
ILOILO City – The massive power blackout across Panay Island, including Guimaras and parts of Negros, has led to considerable disruptions in the business sector.
The blackout, which began at 2:19 p.m. on Jan. 2, has been a source of concern for businesses ranging from large retailers to market vendors, with the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) – Iloilo Chapter Inc. estimating losses in the millions of pesos.
Engineer Fulbert Woo, president of PCCI – Iloilo Chapter Inc., highlighted the severe impact of the blackout on local businesses and the broader economy of Iloilo city and province, affecting jobs and the daily lives of residents.
Many chapter members reported an inability to operate during the blackout, with those lacking generators being particularly affected.
The PCCI-Iloilo chapter, representing over 200 members or entrepreneurs in the region, has expressed deep concern over the situation.
In a letter to Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas, Woo emphasized the blackout’s adverse impact on both businesses and residents. For businesses, frequent outages threaten productivity, operational efficiency, and economic growth.
Residents face inconvenience and discomfort, exacerbating economic hardship, he added.
“We understand the frustration such situations can bring, especially when vital appliances and basic amenities are affected. This creates a ripple effect,” according to Woo.
The PCCI-Iloilo advocates for a collaborative approach to address these challenges, including open communication, brainstorming sessions, infrastructure upgrades, improved maintenance, and exploring alternative energy sources.
Engineer Terence Uygongco, chairman of the Iloilo Economic Development Foundation, Inc. (ILEDF), expressed similar concerns. Their foundation urged the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) and the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) to investigate the causes of the outage and prioritize regional infrastructure improvements.
The blackout has particularly affected vendors of perishable goods like frozen products.
Veronica Filago from Oton, Iloilo, and others reported significant losses due to the inability to preserve their products. They call for better communication from power distributors about potential outages to prepare accordingly.
“Tani man lang mapabalo man sila kon mag-brownout… para tani makapreparar man kami para indi kami sagi obra or order sang baligya para indi kami mapierde,” said Filago.
For her part, vendor Mary Grae Fabrigar, 51, of Barangay Cagbang, Oton town, said, “Tani ibalik na ang kuryente para mag-back to normal na kami.”
In addition to business disruptions, the blackout has also impacted educational institutions. The Department of Education (DepEd) Region 6 reported suspension of classes in these areas:
* Iloilo City – all levels
* Kalibo, Aklan – all levels
* Numancia, Aklan – all levels
* Banga, Aklan – elementary and high school, both in private and public schools
* Estancia, Iloilo – all levels
* Pavia, Iloilo – all levels
* Leon, Iloilo – all levels
* Calinog, Iloilo – all levels
* Balasan, Iloilo – all levels
* Iloilo National High School
* Leonora S. Salapantan NHS – secondary level
* Alimodian, Iloilo – all levels
* Oton, Iloilo – all levels
* Sigma, Capiz – all levels
* Maayon, Capiz – all levels
* President Roxas, Capiz – all levels
* Hamtic, Antique – pre-school to senior high school, both private and public schools/PN
