By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The restoration of power in southern Negros Occidental is being hampered by landowners who are refusing entry to repair teams.

Provincial administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz said the problem is particularly rampant in the town of Ilog, citing pending disputes over right of way.

Diaz appealed to landowners not to hold hostage the welfare of the people in southern part of the province.

Meanwhile, to alleviate the need for power in the sixth district of the province, the provincial government has sent 18 generator sets (gensets) for charging of basic survival equipment of local disaster teams such as mobile phones and flashlights.

Gensets from hospitals and evacuation centers from other areas that can be spared will also be sent to southern Negros.

The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines, meanwhile, has restored power in northern Negros, but electric cooperatives are still repairing their distribution lines./DGB, WDJ