ILOILO CITY — A seemingly small intruder caused big disruptions at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol on Tuesday, 18 November, as a burnt fuse triggered by a rat plunged the entire building into darkness.

Engineer Argel Alasian, capitol maintenance head, confirmed that while crews are scrambling to repair the damage, the building is currently running on generator power, which cannot meet the full demand. As a result, several offices are operating with limited lighting and reduced power.

Despite the sweat and discomfort, members and staff of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan did not let the blackout derail their session. Board members fanned themselves and relied on rechargeable fans, determined to carry on with their legislative duties.

Some facilities remained partially operational as staff struggled to manage essential services, but the session continued without interruption, demonstrating resilience amid the unusual setback.