Iloilo Electric Cooperative I (Ileco 1) recently announced some areas serviced by the utility firm may experience a power interruption up to 18 hours on Sunday, May 5. Power is estimated to be out from 1:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.

According to Ileco I Manager Mike Paguntalan, they are upgrading the power transformer at their Santa Barbara substation, which he said will take time.

The installation is expected to begin at 1:00 a.m. and finish by 6:00 a.m. Once completed, the National Grid Power Corporation is expected to conduct a test for three hours.

Paguntalan said the entire project should be completed by 1:00 p.m. or 2:00 p.m.; however, if they observe certain problems, the power interruption may extend into early evening.

Considering the installation is set to take place in Santa Barbara, several areas of the town are expected to be affected by the scheduled power interruption. Among the area Ileco I identified include Barangays Agusipan, Agutayan, Bagumbayan, Ban-ag, Bantay, Barasa Este, Barasa Oeste, Binangkilan, Bitaog-Taytay, Bolong Este, Bolong Oeste, Buayahon, Cabugao Sur, Cafe, Canipayan, Daga, Dalid, Duyanduyan, Gen. Martin T. Delgado, Guno, Lacadon, Lanag, Mambuyo, Manhayang, Miraga-Guiboangan. Omambong, Pal-agon, Pungsod, Sangcate, Talanghauan, Tigtig, Tugas, and Tungay; along with Arroyo, Bermejo, Blanco, Burgos, Castilla, Taft, Hinco, Magalona, Maravilla, Merlo, Montinola, Rizal, Rodriguez, Roosevelt, and Sodusta Streets.

Cabatuan is also expected to experience the power interruption, specifically Iloilo International Airport and Barangays Cadoldolan, Guibuangan-Tigbauan, Talanghauan, and Tiring. In addition, areas of Pavia will also be affected, including Barangays Amparo, Cabugao Sur, Mali-ao, and Pal-agon; along with Evangelista, Hedriana, Maquiling, Ramos, and Sumakwel Streets.

Two separate power interruptions are also scheduled for the same day, one from 1:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. and again from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., which will affect Alimodian, Cabatuan, Guimbal, Igbaras, Leon, Maasin, Oton, San Miguel, Santa Barbara, Tigbauan, Tubungan, and portions of Pavia.

Meanwhile, a power interruption from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. is scheduled today for Leganes, which will affect Sitio Calam-isan, Annex Builders, and the Petron gas station in Barangay Guihaman./WDJ