AKLAN – A weekend blackout that paralyzed Boracay Island, Malay and Buruanga towns in Aklan province has thrown into sharp relief the country’s top tourist destination’s fragile power backbone, forcing energy officials, transmission operators, and local utilities into a frantic race to restore supply and secure long-term stability.
The outage, which struck at 1:37 p.m. on September 13, stemmed from arcing in the 69kV subtransmission cables at the Caticlan Airport arrival area in Malay, aggravated by moisture intrusion and leakage in underground lines.
The fault tripped the Nabas–Unidos 69kV line, cutting off Boracay Island’s primary circuits and plunging the world-class tourist hub into hours of darkness.
To stave off prolonged disruption, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) and Aklan Electric Cooperative (AKELCO) fielded eight full teams that rushed to erect nearly 20 poles and build an 800-meter bypass overhead line along the airport’s beachside perimeter.
With clearance from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), crews labored round-the-clock and succeeded in partially energizing the island before midnight on September 14.
The fix, however, showed cracks. On September 15, AKELCO reported that high tide had destabilized one of the newly erected poles.
“NGCP and AKELCO are installing concrete anchors to stabilize the structure and ensure the safety and reliability of the power line,” the cooperative said.
Energy Secretary Sharon Garin assured the public that the Department of Energy (DOE) is closely monitoring the developments.
“Our foremost priority is to restore reliable electricity supply without delay. We are working hand-in-hand with NGCP, AKELCO, CAAP (Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines), local governments, and partner agencies to normalize power supply in Boracay and neighboring towns,” Garin said.
She emphasized that while the bypass line serves as an immediate lifeline, comprehensive repairs on the underground cables are underway.
The DOE also pushed NGCP to finally complete the long-delayed Nabas–Caticlan–Boracay Transmission Line Project, which the Energy Regulatory Commission had ordered finished this year.
Boracay, one of the country’s crown jewels of tourism, draws its electricity from the Nabas Substation via a 69kV overhead line and submarine cable — facilities energy officials concede are outdated and overstretched.
Without urgent upgrades, the island remains vulnerable to crippling blackouts that threaten its residents, businesses, and global reputation./PN
