Senator Risa Hontiveros on Monday filed a resolution seeking an "extensive" legislative inquiry into the recent power outage that hit at least five of the provinces in Western Visayas.

In proposed Senate Resolution No. 890, Hontiveros said there is a need for a "deeper and more extensive" investigation to address all factors behind the perennial blackout in Guimaras, Aklan, Antique, Capiz and Iloilo.

She noted that the power outage in Panay Island disrupted the daily lives of people in the region, caused substantial financial losses for businesses, and impeded the operation of government offices, schools and hospitals.

"Considering that past investigations and probes have not yielded palpable results, an even more comprehensive, thorough, and extensive examination needs to be conducted, including a review of the concession agreement between the National Transmission Corporation and the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines, as well as NGCP's 25-year legislative franchise itself," Hontiveros said in her resolution.

"We must urgently review and strengthen the effectiveness of all protocols, such as DOE's mechanisms during incidents like simultaneous and unplanned power plant shutdowns," she added.

She continued: "NGCP claims that its decision to take no action like manual load dropping during the blackout was according to 'standard protocols.' Is it a standard procedure when there is a crisis already and you were just idling?"

Hontiveros, who hails from Panay, noted that Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla has blamed NGCP for the power outage, since the "company failed to prevent the system-wide power shutdown by proactively calling on the distribution utilities and electric cooperatives in Panay to reduce their load and avoid a sub-system-wide collapse."

The lawmaker warned that if the Senate's investigation reveals gross negligence and incompetence, the legislative franchise of the NGCP should be reviewed.

"Congress should commence a review of the NGCP's concession agreement and ultimately, its 25-year legislative franchise," she said.

"Our nation's grid operator cannot and should not be remiss in its obligation to transmit electricity to where it is needed throughout the country," she added.

Likewise, Senator Francis Tolentino filed a resolution seeking an investigation into the Panay blackout.

In proposed Senate Resolution No. 894, Tolentino also urged the DOE and the NGCP to find a "more sustainable solution" to the energy supply in the region.

"The widespread power disruptions pose adverse impact on the overall economy of the region compromising the productivity and operational efficiency of the people and businesses in the provinces," the resolution read.

"Unless soonest resolved, through the adoption of new solutions including infrastructure upgrades, improved maintenance schedules, and the exploration of alternative energy resources, these power disruptions will be the bane to the continuous and uninterrupted growth and prosperity of the region," it added.