At least 256 families are without electricity after the locomotive, the front end of the train of the Philippine National Railways (PNR), snagged power lines in Barangay Bitano, Legazpi City on December 19, 2023. 

A video that captured the incident showed the locomotive in motion when it snagged electric wires hanging very low along the train tracks. The PNR was conducting a clearing operation in preparation for the resumption of train services from Naga City to Legazpi City by year end. 

As the wires were dragged down, a utility post was also pulled to the ground. A motorcycle was dragged by the train after it got entangled in the wires. 

Barangay officials acknowledged that they received notices from the PNR about the clearing operation a month before the incident.

A resident, Joseph Nogales, Sr., said he cannot blame NPR for what happened.

"Dae mi na pigbabasol an PNR ta naghagad man ki abiso sinda dae man natupad kan mga tao ta gugol man sa trabaho," he said.

The owner of the motorcycle, Jun Bacay, said he could have secured his vehicle, considering that he lived right beside the train track. 

"Nasa [area kan] PNR kami natural nadiskwido yan ta nasa gilid kami, ginilid ko siya. Kung nasecure ko man an motor na yan dae man talaga yan madidiskwido, kaya lang siguro nagging burara man ako," he said.

Residents have appealed to the Albay Electric Cooperative (ALECO) to expedite work on the power lines so that they will have electricity by Christmas. 

"Sana maayos before December 25 kasi kung dae pa po ini talaga maayos consistent po ining magiging problema kan satong barangay," Er Bolaños Fernandez, Treasurer of Barangay Bitano, Legazpi City, said.

The Albay Electric Cooperative (ALECO) has not responded to interview requests as of this writing.