Panay execs demand compensation for economic losses due to blackout

LOCAL government officials of Panay Island yesterday demanded accountability and compensation for the economic losses that their provinces incurred during the January 2 to 5 power outage.

During yesterday’s hearing conducted by the Senate Committee on Energy, Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor, Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas, and Guimaras Gov. Carlos Nava said agencies which were remiss in ensuring a stable power supply in the island should be held accountable for the losses that they suffered during the three-day blackout.

Defensor said the power interruption caused P3.8 billion in economic losses to Iloilo province.

“We have suffered P3.8 billion damage that is loss of load translated to economic loss, Mr. Chairman. We, in Iloilo and the rest of Region 6, we’re positioning to take legal recourse to vindicate the rights of our people and so that they can be compensated for the damage done,” Defensor told senators during the motu proprio hearing called by Sen. Raffy Tulfo, the committee chairman.

Defensor, who was physically present at the Senate during the hearing, said the people of Iloilo would like “to exert strongest pressure” to the stakeholders “so that the blackout will not happen again.”

“We are here to plead for an immediate solution to the problem because we in Iloilo and the rest of Region 6, we are in danger of this happening again. This happened last April of 2023. It happened several days ago, and it can happen again,” he added.

Treñas, who was virtually present during the hearing, said those who will be found accountable for the massive power outage “should be made to pay.”

“The Senate and the House of Representatives, together, to punish those who are accountable, and to hold them accountable for the losses, especially in my beloved city. Who will pay for those who slept in the plazas, who slept in barangay gyms? Do you want that to happen also to you?” he said.

“So, I ask you this time, find someone who is guilty and hold them accountable and let them pay,” he added.

The NGCP said it followed protocols set by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) in responding to the multiple plant shutdowns in Panay that led to the island-wide power interruption