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Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Blackout cripples 6 Bukidnon towns
By Lizanilla J. Amarga
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- A power outage hit six towns in the province of Bukidnon, affecting the operations of huge poultry farms and numerous business establishments in the area.
Political rallies in the area Monday afternoon were also expected to be either cancelled or done with the use of power generators, flashlights and candles.
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National Transmission Corporation (Transco) Mindanao spokesman Raffy Magbanua on Monday afternoon announced that one of their 169-volt power towers in Sarraga, Manolo Fortich was burned and toppled over.
Because of this, he said, power supply in six towns in Bukidnon went out as early as 1 a.m. Monday.
"We still do not know who really burned down one of our Transco power towers," he said in a radio interview Monday afternoon.
He added that Transco linemen are doing their best to restore electricity given the circumstances.
The Bukidnon towns affected include Libona, Manolo Fortich, Malitbog, Impasug-ong, Sumilon and Baungon.
Poultry growers in the area said the power outage has affected their little chicks that thrive on heat given off by light bulbs.
They said the unannounced power interruption is "costing them dearly" as the price value of each chick is increasing and they do not know when the power supply would resume.
"Some of us do not know what to do, whether we should rent a power generator or not as it is expensive to rent one," a poultry grower said in a text message to Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro.
Brownouts also hit several towns in Bukidnon province early this year during the onset of the Kaamulan festival.
In a press statement issued to media outlets last week, the regional office of Transco said its personnel readied contingency measures to ensure the adequate and reliable delivery of electricity throughout the country during the five-day holiday from April 5 to 9.
Transco information officer Rufino Magbanua quoted Transco President and CEO Arthur N. Aguilar as saying that the state utility firm has enhanced its "quick response capabilities" in preparation for any power system disturbance and other emergencies during the long holiday.
He added that Transco assigned some of its vice presidents and assistant vice presidents as "officers-of-the-day", to oversee day-to-day operations during the nation's observance of the Lenten season (April 5 to 8) and Araw ng Kagitingan (April 9). (Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro/Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Baguio. (April 10, 2007 issue)
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