The First Catanduanes Electric Cooperative, Inc. (FICELCO) has started implementing load shedding beginning Monday, March 9, 2026 due to a power supply deficit reported by its lone supplier, Sunwest Water & Electricity Co. (SUWECO).
In its advisory released on its social media page, the management stated that the shortage in power supply was due to the unavailability of three diesel generators at the Marinawa Diesel Power Plant and two diesel gensets at Viga DPP, as well as the unavailability of the Hitoma 1 Hydro Power Plant at Obi, Caramoran.
The three gensets at Marinawa DPP are being repaired or undergoing replacement of defective parts while the two Viga DPP gensets are either being replaced entirely or for major engine overhauling.
The Hitoma 1 HPP at Obi is still under preventive maintenance due to damage wrought by flooding during super typhoon Uwan in November last year.
On the other hand, the Solong hydro power plant is operating but delivering only one megawatt instead of its net dependable capacity of 2.1 mW due to low water level.
The same issue also limits the production of NAPOCOR’s Balongbong HPP, which contributes only 800 kilowatts instead of the usual 1.8 mW.
The deficit of 1,815 kilowatts forced management to schedule power interruptions in six towns to maintain the stability of the power system and prevent a total grid outage.
The affected areas last Monday were the entire towns of Viga, Panganiban and Bagamanoc, eight (8) barangays in Pandan, six (6) barangays in San Andres, and 13 barangays in Virac.
Virac Water District also reported decreasing water supply in two out of three water sources, particularly Sibanhan and Padurog.
VIWAD General Manager Gabriel Tejerero said water level at the two sources is down to just 0.80 meter while the Cauayan source has maintained its high water level.
PAGASA has yet to declare the start of summer but the relative lack of rain for the past few weeks makes it seem that hot, sunny weather is here to stay until the arrival of the “ber” months.
*****
Today’s issue is the first for the 46th year of the Catanduanes Tribune.
This means we should be celebrating the 45th anniversary of the founding of this weekly paper by the late Fredeswindo Tomagan Gianan, Sr. in 1981 after the lifting of Martial Law.
However, due to the delay in the submission of complimentary advertisements by individuals and entities, the management decided to have the anniversary issue either on March 18 or 25.
We sincerely apologize to advertisers and sponsors who sent their ad layouts promptly.
*****
IN THE BIBLE. A Christian woman always takes her Bible along whenever she flies as flying on an airplane makes her nervous.
One day she is sitting next to a man. When he sees her pull out her Bible, he gives a little chuckle and goes back to what he is doing.
After a while, he turns to her and asks, “You don’t really believe all that stuff in there, do you?”
The woman replies, “Of course, I do. It is the Bible.”
He says, “Well, what about that guy that was swallowed by that whale?”
She replies, “Oh, Jonah. Yes, I believe that; it is in the Bible.”
He asks, “Well, how do you suppose he survived all that time inside the whale?”
The woman says, “Well, I don’t really know. I guess when I get to heaven I will ask him.”
“What is he isn’t in heaven?” the man asks sarcastically.
“Then you can ask him,” replies the woman.