A looming electricity crisis which could mean widespread blackouts is on the near horizon if the concerned authorities of Puerto Princesa City and Palawan will not act swiftly. And that near horizon is by the end of this month of September 2022. We are now at September 13.

This prompted an emergency meeting called upon today by Puerto Princesa City Mayor Lucilo Bayron to deal with the dire situation. Palawan 3rd District Congressman Edward Hagedorn joined the meeting virtually.

The main culprit is unpaid debts of over P900 million owed by the National Power Corporation (NAPOCOR) to the different Independent Power Producers (IPP) which supply electricity to the Palawan Electric Cooperative (PALECO).

Delta P, one of the IPPs had already sent notice that they will temporarily stop operation due to the unpaid debts exacerbated by the expensive oil price used in running their generator sets. DMCI and PPGI, also IPPs are also planning to follow the lead of Delta P in shutting down their operations.

SOLUTION

Mayor Bayron in a bid to remedy the situation has already made a commitment to make an advance payment to PALECO to help defray for the debt payment and ensure continued operation by the IPPs. He also encourage the private sector to do the same so that the IPPs can continue their operation and avoid disruption of the power supply.

Another solution which was suggested is declaring a State of Emergency due to a power crisis situation so that funds maybe made available to help power providers continue their operation.

BUSUANGA ISLAND ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

It was September 8, 2022 when the General Manager of Busuanga Island Electric Cooperative (BISELCO) General Manager Ms. Ruth Fortes had called on officials of LGU-Coron, Department Heads, Barangay Captains and representatives from the business sector due to the same debt problem owed to different Independent Power Producers.

Electric power will be cut-off by the end of the month should no solution be formulated. BISELCO service the areas of Coron, Busuanga, Culion and Linapacan.

In Ms. Fortes latest post through Facebook dated September 13, she had a successful meeting with national government officials including Calamianes Island Power Corporation (CIPC), National Power Corporation (NPC), National Electrification Administration (NEA), Department of Energy (DOE), and Mayors of different LGUs in her service area.

Accordingly an immediate solution was formulated and that Calamianes residents and businesses will not experience blackouts by months-end. A long term solution is still in the works.

There are at least 41 other Electric Cooperatives in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao facing the same problem.