Mindanao braces for power outages

COTABATO CITY - Power consumers in Mindanao are bracing for power outages as the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) starts preventive and maintenance repair for one of the two power generation facilities of STEAG State Power Incorporated, officials said.Jerome Soldevilla, STEAG spokesperson, said the repair will be undertaken in its power plants in Villanueva, Misamis Oriental.He said the preventive maintenance will be carried out in two phases. STEAG's power turbines 1 has been undergoing repair to be completed by March 2.It will be followed by the maintenance works for Power turbines 2 from Feb. 21 to March 16.Despite the maintenance repair works, the NGCP said no massive power outages in the island.Beth Ladaga, NGCP Northern Mindanao spokesperson, said the power supply from NGCP will not be affected by the preventive maintenance of STEAG power suppliers.However, power outages can be avoided if the consumers will do its role by limiting the use of energy.To avoid this, Ladaga said, power cooperatives in Mindanao must continue its program limiting unnecessary use of power to its consumers.On the part of the power consumers, limiting power use, unless necessary, will help prevent power shortage in the island.Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) will provide all out support to Maguindanao Electric Cooperative programs.