Boracay: Power in Boracay Island and two municipalities in the province of Aklan was restored around 2:55 p.m. Monday, Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said. Power in Boracay Island, a world-famous tourist destination in the country, and the municipalities of Malay and Buruanga, was cut around 1:35 p.m. Saturday after the Nabas-Unidos 69kV line tripped, cutting off supply to the Unidos-Caticlan-Malay and Unidos-Boracay line.
According to Philippines News Agency, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) and the Aklan Electric Cooperative (AKELCO) immediately sent teams to check the issue, which was traced to the damaged underground cables near the Caticlan Airport arrival area, compromised because of moisture intrusion and leakage.
Garin said eight teams from NGCP and AKELCO were assigned to restore the power line and reconnect it to the grid. The Department of Energy, in a statement, explained that ‘with CAAP (Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines) clearance, crews built an 800-meter temporary overhead line along the Caticlan Airport runway perimeter, while the PNP (Philippine National Police) secured the site for public safety.’
It said restoration works were temporarily stopped to protect the crews after the impact of the high tide, but ‘operations resumed at first light’, culminating in today’s restoration. The DOE said ‘permanent repairs on the underground cables are underway to harden the system and ensure reliability.’
‘In parallel, NGCP is advancing the Nabas-Caticlan-Boracay Transmission Line Project, which the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) ordered for completion this year,’ it said. ‘Together with planned upgrades, these works will strengthen Boracay’s power infrastructure and support the island’s growing demand as a premier tourism and economic hub.’
Garin thanked residents, business owners, and visitors for their patience and cooperation. ‘Our linemen, engineers, and partner agencies remain on the ground to monitor, stabilize, and secure a resilient power supply for Boracay,’ she said.