SEVERAL municipalities in Pampanga were hit by a massive power outage that lasted nearly 12 hours on Thursday, October 3, following a thunderstorm which affected the province and other areas in Central Luzon.

Ernest Vidal, lead of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines Communications (NGCP), said power went out at about 5:26 p.m. of October 3 in some areas of the province.

He said several NGCP lines including Mexico- SFELAPCO Line 1 and 2, Mexico-Angeles Line 1 and 2, Mexico-Clark Line 1 and 2, and Mexico-Calumpit tripped amid the heavy rains and strong winds with lightning.

Pampanga I, II and III Electric Cooperatives, San Fernando Light and Power Company Inc., Angeles Electric Corporation and Pampanga Rural Electric Service Cooperative Inc. were reportedly affected by the said power interruption.

The said power distributor services consumers from City of San Fernando, and Angeles City, and towns of Magalang, Porac, Sta. Rita, Arayat, Sta. Ana, Masantol, San Luis, Sto. Tomas, San Simon and Apalit.

Electricity was restored minutes before 9 p.m. of Thursday for Mexico-SFELAPCO Line 1 and 2, Mexico-Angeles Line 1 and 2, Mexico-Clark Line 1 and 2, while Mexico-Apalit and Mexico-Calumpit lines were fixed at about 5 a.m. Friday, Vidal reported.

Power along the Mexico-Sampaloc line serving industrial customers, however, remained down as of Friday noon.

The NGCP apologized for the inconvenience the power interruption caused to the consumers.