(CNN Philippines) — The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) declared a ‘yellow alert’ in Mindanao over the weekend after the continued disconnection of two hydro plants.
The Agus 1 and 2 hydro plants have been isolated from the Mindanao Grid since December 24.
The facilities, which have a combined maximum capacity of 150 MW, were disconnected from the grid after the bombing of Tower 25 along the Agus 2- Kibawe 138kV line in Ramain, Lanao del Sur on Christmas Eve.
NGCP said that restoration was halted after failed negotiations with the landowner of the property where the facility is located.
The owner reportedly refused entry to the NGCP to repair the toppled tower due to the government’s failure to pay the owner’s claims.
The NGCP said that as of January 1, regulating reserves at their current rate could only provide 45MW, thus prompting the yellow alert.
It expects the supply situation to worsen come January 4, when classes and work resume.
NGCP has appealed to the public, local and national government, the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to monitor the safety of the towers to ensure that transmission services remain uninterrupted.
Appeals have also been made to local community leaders to help identify the perpetrators of the bombings, to negotiate with the landowners, and to prevent longer power interruptions.
Davao-based journalist Ben Tesiorna contributed to this report.
