A fire struck the old Delta P plant Wednesday morning in Barangay Sta. Lourdes, causing a total blackout in the city.
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Puerto Princesa City is still investigating the fire that erupted around 10:30 a.m., but Palawan Electric Cooperative (PALECO) spokesperson Claire Guludah said in an interview with Palawan News that it was the reason for the total blackout.
“Kauna-unahan itong naganap at ‘yon ang gumulantang sa mga residente. Unang nakita ay ang makapal na usok na agad naman din humina. Wag mag-alala kasi patuloy naman ang pakikipag-ugnayan natin sa pamunuan ng Delta P. Bandang alas onse ng umaga ng tumawag sila at ‘yon nga ang dahilan total blackout. Pero sinisikap naman natin na maibalik ang kuryente agad,” she explained.
(This is the first time that this happened and it surprised residents in the area. First seen was the thick smoke that also quickly disappeared. Rest assured that we are continuously communicating with the management of Delta P regarding this. They called to inform us around 11 a.m. and that’s the reason why there’s a total blackout. But we’re trying to return power as soon as possible.)
Guludah said some of the employees of Delta P who had attended fire safety drills assisted in controlling the situation inside the compound.
Delta P was established in Palawan as an independent power producer in 1997 to supply the electricity requirement of the PALECO. Its power plant facility is located in a 25,981-square meter property in Sta. Lourdes.
