Unexplained power outage hits Iloilo

A general power outage was reported on Tuesday in the provinces of Iloilo, Guimaras, Capiz and Aklan, plunging towns and villages in darkness.

According to Department of Energy-Visayas Field Office director Engineer Jose Rey Maleza, the cause of the blackout — which also caused low voltage in some areas on Negros Island, is still being investigated.

Maleza said coal plants of the Global Business Power Corp. in Iloilo City and Palm Concepcion Power Corp. in Concepcion town Iloilo tripped starting past 5 p.m.

The two coal plants produced a total of about 300 megawatts, or bulk of the power needs of Panay and Guimaras islands.