ROXAS CITY, Capiz (PIA) -- Free charging stations for gadgets, lamps and powerbanks are being offered by some local government units, public offices, malls, private establishments as well as individuals in the province, while the power shortage-caused rotational brownout is affecting almost half of the Capiz Electric Cooperative's (CAPELCO) member-consumer owners.

In Roxas City, the Dinggoy Roxas Civic Center served as a public charging station aside from selected public offices, private establishments and malls.

"The civic center will be open from 8:00 in the morning until 10:00 in the evening for the charging services," said Roxas City mayor Ronnie Dadivas in a social media post.

He also declared the suspension of classes at all levels in both public and private schools in the city today, Jan. 5, due to the ongoing power crisis in Panay Island and the uncertainty of power restoration to its normal capacity.

The power interruption has also prompted the municipalities of Dumarao, Sapian, Pontevedra, and Sigma and Tapaz to declare the suspension of classes in their respective localities due to the power interruption affecting most of their areas.

Based on the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) advisory, the grid needs about 300 megawatts to stabilize the power supply in the system.

In a press release, the NGCP also renewed its call for a whole-of-industry approach, including better energy resource planning, following the Jan. 2 power outage. (AGP/AAL/PIA Capiz)