At least five barangays in Barangay Tambo, Lipa City, Batangas experienced power interruption after four electric posts fell down after getting hit by a car around 4 a.m. on November 27, 2023. 

The incident entangled power lines and disrupted the normal flow of traffic on the national highway.

According to the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), the car hit a barrier at a roundabout, propelling it to the electric posts.

A truck heading to San Jose and loaded with 600 sacks of corn feed became collateral damage after a post fell on its rear portion.

"May narinig kaming sumabog diyan… lumingon yung pahinante ko, nakita niya unti-unti bumabagsak yung mga poste… hindi namin alam na meron palang bumanggang kotse doon sa likod," said Juanito de Guzman, the truck driver.

The car’s driver sustained minor injuries.

"'Siguro natakot siya kaya nagdire-diretso… bale minor bruises naman ang natamo at dinala sa pinakamalapit na ospital," said Job Nivicio, a member of the Lipa CDRRMO.

Engr. Jonathan Angsioco, Planning and Design Engineer of BATELEC, the owner of the electric posts, said they needed to get electricity from another source. 

"Within this day partially, ililipat muna namin ng source ng kuryente areng side na ito and the rest pipilitin namin mapailawan kaagad. Madaming transformer ang kasama sa pagbagsak… kung napansin niyo kanina, may mga basag na tayong poste na concrete na kailangan palitan kaagad," he said. 

As of 7:20 p.m. on November 27, 2023, BATELEC II has completed the stringing of primary electric lines, while the secondary line and communal distribution transformers installations were still underway.

Angsioco said the car driver will shoulder the expenses for the damage caused by the incident. 

"Lahat ng cost na na-incur, lahat ng damage, siya ang magsho-shoulder… kukumpunihin muna ni BATELEC lahat," Angsioco said.

Residents reported hearing a loud explosion before the power outage, and some rushed to assist after witnessing the aftermath. 

Nilo Alday, a resident, recounted, "Pagbangga naman kasi sumabog tapos, lumabas kami ganun na nakita namin naka ano na jan, inano ng aking hipag, tinulungan."

Local authorities are scheduled to meet with the truck and car driver on November 28, 2023 to gather statements and more details on the incident.