Philippines' Luzon grid on red alert after major quake

Some areas in Luzon may experience rotational power cuts following a reserve shortage.

The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) has raised the red alert on the grid of the country’s largest island, indicating a reserve shortage that may result in service interruptions following the magnitude 6.1 earthquake that hit the parts of the country on 22 April.

The red alert lasted from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on 23 April.

Power distributor Manila Electric Company (Meralco) announced a list of some areas which suffer from rotational power cuts such as Bacoor and Dasmarinas City in Cavite, Makati City’s Poblacion and Sampaloc, Sta. Ana and Sta. Mesa in Manila. The power cuts may last for an hour, Meralco said.

Energy officials said the alert will shift to yellow until 8 p.m., indicating minimal power back up but not necessarily resulting in service interruptions.

In the north of Manila, the province of Pampanga is under a state of calamity after a strong earthquake with epicenter in neighboring Zambales, in particular the town of Castillejos, hit the area. Officials have recorded at least 11 deaths in Pampanga.

Energy officials said there was no reported damage from major oil industry players.