SEVERAL local government units (LGUs) in southern Cebu experienced brownouts minutes after the polling precincts were closed at around 1:45 p.m. on Monday, October 30, 2023.
Most of these localities concluded the voting process early since they began early to accommodate all voters before the 3 p.m. closing time.
The LGUs that were affected by the power interruption are Moalboal, Ginatilan, Alcantara, Alegria, Ronda, Dumanjug, Barili and Badian in southern Cebu and the municipalities of Poro, Tudela, Pilar and San Francisco on Camotes Island, according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Cebu Provincial office.
The Comelec immediately coordinated with the utility company to bring back the power supply and after that the Cebeco 1 announced at 3:37 p.m. that the electricity has already been restored.
According to Comelec 7 administrative officer Ivan Delos Santos, the electricity reportedly went out because of the strong wind but it was quickly resolved by the Department of Energy and the Office of Civil Defense.
He added that the Board of Election Inspectors adhered to the voting's 3 p.m. closing timetable.
However, those who remained in line within the 30-meter radius of the polling place beyond the deadline had their names taken and were allowed to vote until 5 p.m.
Some polling locations, according to Delos Santos, opened as early as 5 a.m. and closed around 1 p.m. in order to prioritize the senior citizens and persons with disabilities to protect them from the intense heat while waiting for their turn outside the precinct.
Cebeco 1 serves the municipalities of Alcantara, Alcoy, Alegria, Argao, Badian, Barili, Boljoon, Dalaguete, Dumanjug, Ginatilan, Malabuyoc, Moalboal, Oslob, Ronda, Samboan, Santander and Sibonga, and Carcar City in southern Cebu, while Camotes Electric Cooperative distributes power to Camotes Island with the help of Cebeco. (ANV, AYB, TPT)