Businesses endure losses due to massive power outage in Panay Island

Many businesses saw their operations suffer losses due to the massive power outage in Panay Island on Tuesday. 

According to John Sala of GMA Regional TV One Western Visayas on "24 Oras," currently, there are still areas without electricity since the afternoon of January 2.

This caused some businesses in Iloilo to deal with losses like Marites Dasal, a market vendor whose frozen products were at risk of spoiling.

“Hindi natin alam kung ma-okay na or hindi pa ang kuryente. Meron pa naman ice para mapalamig lang," she said.

 (We don't know whether the electricity will be okay or not. There is still some ice to cool [my products].)

According to the Chairman of the Iloilo Economic Development Foundation, Inc. (ILED) business and commerce were greatly affected by the power outage.

 “Aside from na wala tayong kuryente, naaapektuhan din ang ating mga internet at telecommunications so apektado din ang negosyo ng bawat isa," said Terence Uygongco, ILED Chairman.

(Aside from the fact that we don't have electricity, our internet and telecommunications are also affected so everyone's business is also affected.)

With no electricity in Antique,  students and teachers had to endure sweltering classrooms.

Only 20% of the electric supply has so far been restored in the province.

In Aklan, several businesses were also affected by the power outage, but Boracay Island has a stable supply of electricity. Each tourism establishment also has a generator set ready if the island experiences a power outage. 

Based on Aklan Electric Cooperative Inc.'s (AKECO) latest update, only 33% of the entire coverage area has power supply.

Meanwhile in Capiz, some businesses chose to soperate despite the brownout. Only 10 megawatts of electricity have been restored, even though 45 megawatts are needed, the report said.—Sherylin Untalan/RF, GMA Integrated News