NPC says DOE reason for Mindanao blackout wrong

COTABATO CITY - The National Power Corporation Mindanao Generation (NPC MinGen) disagreed with the statement issued by Department of Energy (DoE) Secretary Jericho Petilla saying that the recent Mindanaowide blackout was caused by unit 1 and unit 2 of Agus 1 Hydroelectric power plant in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur.

According to NPC MinGen Vice President Engr. Rudy Brioso, Petilla’s theories are baseless since the break was already closed days before the blackout occurred.

Brioso said that according to their initial investigation, there was a line disturbance or external fault on their lines.

He clarified that they are continuing their investgation

to learn the true reason behidn the blackout that hit the entire island.

Before this, several parts in Central Mindanao alreadyi experienced loss of power.

North Cotabato lost power for four to seven hours due to a lack of power supply from the Mindanao Grid, however the area in which the lines of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) were damaged or cut is still not known.

In Maguindanao, 13 to 16 hours of powrer loss was experienced due to the Maguindanao Electric Cooperative (MAGELCO) owing P786 million to the NPC.

The public is calling on the government to investigate the long blackout experienced in Mindanao. EDGAR FUERZAS

SETH DELOS REYES READY FOR ARAW. Durian fruits are unloaded at Zaldy’s store beside Magsaysay Park as initial harvest has begun. They are hoping that the harvest goes higher during the ARaw ng Dabaw week.