Batanes to face rotational blackouts as Typhoon Betty affects fuel supply

MANILA, Philippines – The generator-dependent Batanes group of islands will experience 8-hour rotational brownouts as the tanker supposed to bring fuel supply to the province could not sail due to Typhoon Betty (Mawar), the Batanes Electric Cooperative (Batanelco) said.

Due to dwindling fuel supply, Batanelco said on Monday, May 29, that rotational power interruptions will be implemented in the province starting Thursday, June 1.

The electric utility provider warned that Batanes might experience longer power interruptions should the bad weather persist beyond this week.

Highlighting the challenge of transporting fuel during typhoon season, Batanes Governor Marilou Cayco appealed to the National Power Corporation (Napocor) for a larger fuel tank to bring supply so they would have buffer stock in times of calamities. She also requested additional generator sets. 

Cayco said in an interview with DZBB on Monday that she had already asked Napocor for assistance in October 2022, and the state-run firm said it was procuring generator sets for the six towns of Batanes.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration placed Batanes under Signal No. 2 on Monday. – Rappler.com