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BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA
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Thursday, June 8, 2017
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ILOILO City – The constant unannounced power interruptions in Iloilo province were mostly due to heavy vegetation encroaching power lines and electric posts, according to the general managers of Iloilo Electric Cooperative (Ileco) 1, 2 and 3.
“These are beyond our control,” said Rhea Palacios of Ileco 1.
She placed at “80 percent” the brownouts caused by swaying trees, creeping vines and the animals that inhabit them like geckos, snakes and birds.
Palacios and the general managers of Eleco 2 and 3 were summoned to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan on Tuesday and made to explain the frequent sudden brownouts.
“People laugh when they hear our explanation but it’s true,” said Palacios.
She also offered a solution – clearing the areas around electric posts and power lines.
“If you live near electric posts or power lines, please help clear the surroundings. It’s for your own benefit, too,” she said.
Palacios also said replacing dilapidated electric posts or old power lines could help minimize power interruptions.
Ileco 1 actually started its maintenance activities last month and this will go on until July, said Palacios. But this, too, could mean brownouts, she stressed.
For scheduled brownouts due to this, Ileco 1 always comes out with advisories, she stressed.
Preventive maintenance operations of power suppliers and the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines may also result to power interruptions, she added.
“Some consumers have the mistaken belief that all brownouts are Ileco 1’s fault. But our suppliers conduct preventive maintenance operations, too,” said Palacios.
Ileco 1’s service area covers the towns of Oton, Tigbauan, Guimbal, Miag-ao, San Joaquin, San Miguel, Alimodian, Igbaras, Tubungan, Leon, Santa Barbara, Pavia, Cabatuan, Maasin, and Leganes.
Engr. Jose Redmond Eric Roquios of Ileco 2 echoed’s Palacio’s explanations.
“Since March we have been conducting massive right-of-way clearing. This will conclude by the end of this month. We hope to minimize the brownouts in our area,” he said.
Ileco 2 serves the towns of Pototan, Mina, Dingle, Dueñas, Passi City, San Enrique, Bingawan, Calinog, Lambunao, Badiangan, Janiuay, New Lucena, Zarraga, Barotac Nuevo, and Dumangas.
Ileco 3’s Consorcia Peñaranda, on the other hand, assured consumers they were taking steps to address the power interruptions.
“We have massive clearing of power lines. We use thermal scanners to detect lose connections and cutoff lines,” she said.
Peñaranda also said they make it a point to address brownouts within 24 hours.
Ileco 3 serves the towns of Anilao, Banate, Barotac Viejo, San Rafael, Ajuy, Lemery, Sara, Concepcion, San Dionisio, Batad, Baladan, Estancia, and Carles.
Ileco 3’s mission, according to its website, is to “provide efficient and reliable electric service at reasonable cost, continuously develop its systems and human resources capability, and maintain relevance to the changing energy industry requirements.”
Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr. said he also wanted to have a meeting with the managers, presidents and members of the board of the three electric cooperatives.
“Gusto ko maintindihan gid ang problema sang tatlo ka cooperatives,” he said.
Frequent brownouts are a “serious problem,” he stressed./PN
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