Senate probes Luzon blackouts

Senator Win Gatchalian has filed Senate Resolution No. 740 to investigate the recent rotational blackouts affecting parts of Luzon.

Gatchalian cited the DOE's failure to address power supply shortages since 2016 and noted that several areas in Luzon began experiencing blackouts shortly after Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi assured no blackouts during the dry season.

The senator emphasized the critical situation, urging the DOE to take immediate action as forecasts predict load dropping issues for the next eight days.

Rep. Precious Hipolito Castelo from the House of Representatives also called for a congressional inquiry into the brownouts, citing their impact on vaccine storage and online classes.

Castelo highlighted that rotational brownouts worsen daily inconvenience due to high temperatures and may cause health risks like heat stroke.

DILG Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya advised local government units to secure uninterruptible power supply in cold storage facilities for vaccines.