Pikit residents suffer power outages, but life goes on
Breaking News • 03:49 AM Wed Feb 25, 2015
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By:
Ferdinandh Cabrera
A man in PIkit, North Ctoabato uses gas-fueled cooking set to cook his family's dinner every afternoon . (Ferdinand Cabrera)
PIKIT, North
Cotabato (Feb. 24) – Residents here, already threatened by lawlessness from
outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, are also facing daily power
rotation brownout for about a week now.
Every 5 p.m.
to 7 p.m. residents of this first class municipality have to endure two hours
of black out for about a week now even as they fear of bombing attacks from
lawless groups.
But residents
appeared to be getting used to it. Even
before the power outage takes effect, residents are ready with flashlights and household
electricity powered by solar panels.
Business
establishments are now equipped with solar powered electricity for traders are
fully aware longer black out wait ahead.
The North
Cotabato Electric Cooperative (Cotelco) had to ration power by imposing an hour
or two brownout after the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP)
imposed load curtailment due to maintenance repair of two generators sets of STEAG
power incorporated in Misamis Oriental last week.
Cotelco
management said from 32 megawatt power supply from NGCP, it has to do with only
22 megawatt for its member-consumers.
Residents here
pray that power interruptions are only applied during day time because they
fear lawless groups may take advantage of darkness for their nefarious
activities. Other towns in North Cotabato also experience power rationign since the NGCP imposed load curtailment for the electric cooperative. (Ferdinandh Cabrera)