Brownouts cause NBI computers to stop issuing clearances in Negros

Scheduled brownouts plaguing the province of Negros Occidental have taken their toll even on the National Bureau of Investigation. Over the weekend, the brownouts caused a computer malfunction that affected the clearance applications of at least 200 people. “We sent home those applying for clearance as we could not restore our system right away," NBI provincial chief Mamerto Cortez said in an interview with Negros news site Visayan Daily Star. The computers malfunctioned on Friday after a power surge hit their office, Cortez said. The power surge was rated at 250 to 300 volts — a spike from the regular 200 volts. Two computer units began to overheat and later emitted smoke, forcing them to stop the issuance of NBI clearances. The office requested for new equipment, Cortez said, adding that the computer system will be restored on Monday. Scheduled brownouts also affected the work of the Bacolod City Police Office Operation branch. Operation branch head Chief Inspector Noel Polines said their office could not submit their reports to the police Western Visayas regional office on time as there was no internet connection. - RJAB Jr., GMANews.TV