The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) will investigate power generation companies whose unplanned outages have contributed to recurring electricity disruptions in the Visayas and Mindanao.
ERC Legal Service Director Maria Corazon Gines said Thursday that power supply in the two regions is gradually returning to normal, but the regulator will examine why several generating plants went offline.
Gines said the ERC will determine whether the affected generation companies committed any lapses and impose fines or other penalties if violations are established.
She said the move is also intended to prevent similar outages in the future.
The Visayas has experienced recurring power disruptions since May as major generating plants suffered unplanned outages. Several power plants in Mindanao also became unavailable starting August.
The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines said power interruptions were necessary to manage the remaining electricity supply amid the plant outages.
Meanwhile, House committees on Energy, Visayas Development and Legislative Franchises are conducting an inquiry into the continuing brownouts in the Visayas.