The operation of the Cotabato Electric Cooperative (COTELCO) was halted temporarily after a portion of its main office in Barangay Manubuan, Matalam town was razed by fire shortly before midnight on Thursday, May 1, 2025.

According to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)-Matalam, the main power line that connects the towns of Kabacan and Matalam had to be switched off because of the fire.

Because of the incident, several areas in the two towns experienced power interruption. However, power was restored later.

Among the offices affected were the services department, technical department, institutional services department, motorpool, and a warehouse.

The fire was put out after more than two hours.

The cost of damage was estimated at more than P15 million.

Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire.

“Ongoing pa ang investigation sa mga investigator ko sa area. We will dive deeper sa investigation namo,” BFP-Matalam Acting Municipal Fire Marshall, FOI Jose Vale Jr., said.

COTELCO said the operations resumed past 8 a.m. on Friday, May 2.

The offices affected were also transferred temporarily to the other building inside the compound.

However, COTELCO has suspended new connection applications.

“Temporarily, gi-suspend usa nato ang pag-cater sa new connection. Apil man gud sa mga office nga naapektuhan is kadtong warehouse nato kung asa nakapondo ang materyales nga ginahatag, gina-release nato alang sa mga new applicant,” COTELCO Information Officer, John Andrew Tabugoc, said.

COTELCO assured the public that the power supply will not be affected even during the election.