"Can't Even Turn On a Fan? How Will They Endure the Heat?"... Massive Blackout Hits the Philippines Amid Scorching Heat

Power Grid Failures Leave Millions Suffering in Heat
Rolling Blackouts Across Luzon Region
National Energy Emergency Declared in March

A massive blackout has occurred in the Philippines, a country already suffering from a severe energy supply crisis due to the ongoing Middle East war.

According to Yonhap News on May 16, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) announced that it implemented hours-long rolling blackouts across parts of Metro Manila and the northern Luzon region starting the previous afternoon. The rolling blackouts were reportedly caused by the shutdown of several major power plants and large-scale power grid failures.

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Currently, the Philippines is experiencing its hottest period of the year, with temperatures soaring above 40 degrees Celsius in many areas. As a result, demand for electricity for air conditioning has surged, yet millions of residents in the affected areas are being forced to endure the extreme heat without power.

The previous day, the NGCP issued red and yellow alerts for various regions of Luzon and the Central Visayas, warning of possible blackouts. A yellow alert is issued when reserve power drops below required levels, while a red alert—the most severe stage—means power supply is insufficient and blackouts may occur in some areas.

The NGCP reported that on the previous day, available power in Luzon was 12,075 megawatts (MW), which was 852 MW short of the peak demand of 12,927 MW. The Visayas also faced a power supply shortage of about 220 MW. The NGCP stated, "We are currently focused on stabilizing the power grids in Luzon and the Visayas," adding, "We are investigating the recent grid issues."

Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said in a statement, "The public deserves a full explanation for such a serious incident," and added, "We will thoroughly investigate every operational, technical, and regulatory aspect, and take appropriate measures if necessary."

Previously, in late March, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos declared a national energy emergency, warning that a threat to the country’s energy supply was imminent. Under this measure, which remains in effect for one year, President Marcos will lead an emergency committee to ensure the stable supply and distribution of fuel, food, pharmaceuticals, agricultural products, and other essentials. Relevant government departments have also been granted the authority to bypass standard procedures and respond quickly to global market disruptions.

President Marcos pointed out that the ongoing war has "caused uncertainty in the global energy market, resulting in serious supply chain disruptions, significant volatility, and upward pressure on international oil prices," adding that it "threatens the country’s energy security."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.