The Iloilo Local Government Unit has contemplated on filing a class-action lawsuit against the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) for the massive power outages in Panay island, Guimaras, and parts of Negros Occidental. 

According to Iloilo Provincial Governor Arthur Defensor, Jr, consumers suffered exceedingly from the unscheduled power interruptions on January 2, 2024 leading to the huge inconveniences of massive power outages that dragged on for four days. 

Defensor said that the widespread inconveniences and economic losses to the entire Panay island and other provinces in Western Visayas are unacceptable and too bad to be allowed again.

“We will find legal recourse so that we can vindicate. I-vindicate natin ang damage that has been done to our people. Ang isa pang purpose into na we will continue to apply pressure so that it will not be repeated,” the governor stated. 

Consumers, likewise, have called for personnel behind the power interruptions to be held accountable. 

“Dapat mapadala natin sa Senate inquiry para mapasagot sila sa kanilang kapabayaan,” Angelo Modejo, an electric power consumer, said.

“Ang negosyo mamamatay, kung palaging may brownout,” Eula Sonza, another power consumer, emphasized.

A Senate investigation is set on January 10, 2024 and a hearing in Congress on January 11, 2024. Senate Committee on Energy Chairperson, Senator Raffy Tulfo, will preside the motu proprio investigation.

Governor Defensor will be one of the resource persons in the two hearings which will help determine salient points in the case.

“We will continue to develop that as we go through the hearings and find our recourse under the laws on energy and other national laws,” Defensor further said. 

Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas will attend the congressional inquiry virtually. Treñas lashed at the NGCP for allegedly not taking substantial action on the power outages in the region which already occurred in April 2023. 

“I am going to ask the Senate how the damages can be reimbursed by NGCP,” the mayor said.

Based on rough estimates done by the Local Economic Development and Investment Promotion Office, the City of Iloilo lost between P400 million to P500 million a day because of the power interruptions and rotational brownouts. 

“In three days, that’s P1.5 billion. What a way to start the new year!” Treñas expressed earlier in an interview.

The NGCP said it welcomes any case against them, according to Reagahn Alcantara, lead specialist public relations of the NGCP.

“Hindi pa tayo maka-react especially since ang investigation will be done or will be conducted. If ever meron that’s the proper forum to address that once pag meron na,” Alcantara added.