Father, 80, dies after failing to nebulize during power outage

An 80-year-old father in Laguna died after failing to undergo nebulization during a rotational brownout, as several areas in Bohol also experienced power outages lasting up to 10 hours amid high electricity demand in the Visayas.

According to a report by Bernadette Reyes on "24 Oras Weekend," the victim was rushed to the hospital after experiencing difficulty breathing.

His daughter, Andrea Lapitan, said her father regularly used a nebulizer every 3 p.m. to manage his asthma. However, their barangay was affected by a rotational brownout that interrupted the treatment.

“Nagne-nebulizer po 'yung tatay ko. Then suddenly po, bigla pong nawala 'yung kuryente. Hinihintay po ng papa ko na magkaroon ng kuryente ulit kasi akala po namin saglit lang siya mawawala, pero inabot po siya ng mahigit tatlong oras,” she said.

(My father was using a nebulizer when suddenly the power went out. My father waited for the electricity to return because we thought the outage would only last for a short time, but it took more than three hours.)

The electricity supply reportedly returned at around 6 p.m., allowing the elderly man to nebulize again. However, his condition worsened, prompting the family to rush him to the hospital.

“Habang palabas pa lang po kami sa compound namin, bumagsak na po 'yung tatay ko,” Andrea added.

(As we were just leaving our compound, my father suddenly collapsed.)

The senior citizen was declared dead on arrival at the hospital.

Meanwhile, residents in Tagbilaran City, Bohol endured brownouts lasting up to 10 hours amid the intense heat.

The municipalities of Baclayon, Loboc, and Panglao were also affected.

According to the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines, the Visayas Grid was placed under yellow alert from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. due to thinning power reserves.

NGCP spokesperson Cynthia Alabanza said the Luzon and Mindanao grids remained under normal conditions.

“Inaasahan natin na makabalik 'yung Batangas plant by today, unless hindi po makapasok 'yung Batangas plant o may dumagdag pang plantang biglang pumalya,” she said.

(We expect the Batangas plant to be back online today, unless it is unable to resume operations or unless additional power plants suddenly malfunction,)—MCG, GMA News