Energy Stakeholders Coordinate to Address Power Shortage
BOHOL - The Provincial Government of Bohol convened a meeting with energy stakeholders on September 10, 2026, to discuss interventions addressing the power shortage affecting the Visayas Grid. Vice Governor Nick Besas led the discussion at the Governor’s Office, joined by Chief of Staff Atty. Filipina Asoy-Piollo, Provincial Administrator Asteria Caberte, and Provincial Planning and Development Office Head Atty. John Titus Vistal. Representatives from the Department of Energy (DOE) Visayas Field Office participated virtually, while officials from BOHECO I, BOHECO II, Bohol Light Company, Inc., Mapalad Power Corporation, and the Provincial Planning and Development Office attended in person.
Understanding the Causes and Protecting Grid Stability
DOE Visayas Field Office representative Kelvin Ed Dajao explained that the power shortage is linked to the unavailability of several major power plants in Cebu and Iloilo, along with the loss of power imports from the Mindanao High-Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) system. He clarified that manual load dropping is being implemented as a grid protection measure to help maintain system stability and prevent potentially wider outages across the Visayas. The discussion provided provincial officials and energy stakeholders with a clearer understanding of the factors affecting the grid while allowing them to coordinate on appropriate interventions and responses.
Building a More Resilient Energy System for Bohol
The meeting highlights the importance of cooperation between the provincial government, energy providers, and national agencies in addressing challenges that affect the province’s electricity supply. Reliable energy infrastructure is essential to households, businesses, public services, and economic activity, making energy resilience an important part of Bohol’s long-term development. Through continued coordination and planning, the Provincial Government of Bohol aims to support more dependable infrastructure and resilient communities in line with its Strategic Governance Roadmap, while advancing sustainable development across the Bohol Island UNESCO Global Geopark.
