For at least three days, residents of Masbate are facing prolonged and frequent power outages due to ongoing technical issues at the D.M. Consunji, Inc. (DMCI) Thermal Power Plant, the province's main power provider.
The situation began on February 15, 2025 at 9 p.m. when the Masbate Electric Cooperative, Incorporated (MASELCO) confirmed an unscheduled power interruption following a total shutdown at the DMCI Thermal Power Plant.
The outage affected all feeders across the province, with no estimated time for restoration.
By February 16, the power interruptions continued. A total of four areas were still affected across 12 municipalities.
MASELCO’s 7:10 p.m. advisory said the outages were still linked to load shedding caused by the ongoing thermal plant issue.
The power disruptions persisted on February 17, as MASELCO’s 11 a.m. update confirmed more areas were affected.
A total of five additional areas experienced power outages across 19 towns.
MASELCO announced two areas had power restored at 1:51 p.m. on the same day.
On February 18, a rotational power supply was implemented due to the continued issues at the DMCI thermal plant.
MASELCO said nine areas were still affected by load shedding as of 9 a.m., including:
- Tawad to Mabato-bato, Mandaon
- Malinta to Canjunday, Baleno
- Aroroy to Bangon, including Nailaban and Canjunday
- Uson to Del Rosario, Lucsuan, and San Vicente
- Cataingan Feeder 2 to Pio V. Corpus and Esperanza
- Cataingan Feeder 3 to Placer
- Feeder 2 Main (Brgy. Pating, F. Magallanes, Nursery)
"Other areas not listed have been restored. However, we are currently on a rotational power supply. Please anticipate occasional outages as we work to resolve the issue," MASELCO said in an advisory.
RESIDENTS STRUGGLE
Residents have expressed frustration over the ongoing power interruptions.
"'Pag sa city ka nakatira on and off pero 'pag sa labas umabot talaga siya ng whole day, bumalik lang saglit mga three hours tapos brownout ulit," Salustiano Fuentes IV, a resident from Uson, said.
He said the heat has been one of the most common complaint from other residents.
"They should give a more accurate confirmation of when the power will return," Fuentes added.
MASELCO urged residents to consider all lines and equipment energized at all times.
The electric cooperative also asked for the public's patience and understanding.
DMCI Power Corporation, a subsidiary of DMCI Holdings, Inc., has long been a key energy provider in the Philippines, especially in remote areas like Masbate, Palawan, and Oriental Mindoro.
Operating thermal power plants across the country, DMCI plays a crucial role in supplying electricity to off-grid regions.
