“Tarelco, ano na?” If you have been a resident or is currently residing in Gerona, Tarlac, you would’ve known what this question has meant by now. Even more, you may have asked this question at least once or twice before.
Power Interruption has been a recurring issue in the municipality ever since. May it be random blackouts or scheduled power outages, it is an experience that the citizens of Gerona, Tarlac share in their everyday lives.
Currently, due to the online setup that has been the norm ever since the pandemic started, every existing household in the community is guaranteed to rely on the usage of electricity more now than before. Still, the frequent power interruptions continue.
One citizen from Barangay Ayson, Gerona stated that since January, 2020 the power interruptions in their barangay have become more frequent. “Naaalala ko noon, every other week mayroon power interruption,” they added.
It is also said that power interruption happens mostly during the rainy season, where lines and posts are extremely vulnerable to storms and heavy rains or on occasion gets certain objects stuck on electric lines which calls for the need for a lineman to fix it every now and then. Due to this, most consumers are questioning the durability of the materials used by the company.
One of the main actions that Tarlac I Electric Cooperative Inc. or better known as Tarelco I, the main electric provider of Gerona, Tarlac regarding the constant power interruptions is to update and inform their consumers about power interruptions whether scheduled or unscheduled through their official Facebook account. So far, in the entire month of May, there has been a total of six (6) power interruptions on different barangays in Gerona, Tarlac.
One citizen, also from Barangay Ayson, Gerona, Tarlac stated that the update system that Tarelco follows on their Facebook account is one of the improvements that she has noticed regarding the situation, but only after receiving tons of complaints from consumers. Despite not entirely solving the problem, this action still helped the citizens create ways and solutions to adjust to the issue of power interruptions. It is also observed that Tarelco 1 limits their comments on their Facebook posts after receiving tons of complaints from random citizens.
A screenshot of a power interruption notice post
from the official Facebook page of Tarelco I
When asked if they have any idea why power interruptions happen one after another, it seems like the consumers themselves aside from the mentioned causes of power interruptions specific to a certain date do not have any idea about it. Two respondents claimed that they think that it is a way to increase the amount of payment after observing that their electric bills go higher the more frequently they experience power interruptions. Meanwhile, another respondent claimed that it could be connected to the rumors of a new mall being built within the area, hence the need to fix linings every now and then.
However, as answered by employees from Tarelco I itself, power interruptions that happened recently are mostly because of fixing and moving electric posts as affected by a road widening project by DPWH. As a solution to this, they are implementing what is called as an Alternate Brown Out method, “...maaaring sa isang lugar, hindi pwedeng sunod-sunod ang pagkawala ng kuryente. May schedule and bawat isang lugar o bayan,” they explained.
In order to assess the community issue more, three respondents (all students) from neighboring barangays: Ayson and Dicolor were asked about the inconvenience of the issue to them. All respondents share the same sentiment of hoping that the electric provider company would resort to creating long-term solutions instead of the usual band-aid solutions.
One even claimed that the current actions that Tarelco I follows in order to provide solutions for the power interruptions happening around their area is not as cost-efficient than what they expect it to be, "...hindi lang naman siya about doon sa brown-out eh. Kasi kapag nag brown-out tapos aayusin may perang gagamitin, may mga tao na sasahuran...so kapag nag-focus tayo ro'n sa long term....mas mababawasan 'yung pera na magagamit, mababawasan 'yung mga pamilya na naaapektuhan ng brown-out. Kasi dapat hindi tayo nasasanay sa brown-out...kaya dapat sa tingin ko dapat na mag-focus sa long-term solution."
Another respondent also answered, "Sana ayusin nila 'yong trabaho nila," when asked for an opinion on the matter. She also mentioned that power interruptions also extends to the inconvenience of having no water supply the same time a power interruption happens, this is due to both water and electric system being interconnected in the municipality.
On the other side, Tarelco 1 employees wished for consumers to cooperate and extend their patience regarding the matter, claiming that they cannot control the situation as well. "...para sa ikagaganda ng Tarelco 1," they emphasized.
The power interruption might still be an ongoing issue within the municipality. With no guarantee of a feasible solution to the issue, it is seen how most of them are left crawling in the dark in this situation. Although the citizens of Gerona showed how easy they can cope on such hindering issue, it is not right for these people to settle for what they can get, especially as long-time consumers of Tarelco I. Just as one respondent said, "...dapat hindi tayo nasasanay sa brown-out." It is sad to see people adjusting their lives on the existence of this problem instead of rightfully seeking and demanding for a better state. Hopefully, the residents of Gerona, along with Tarelco I finds a brighter future to the state of the municipality and power interruptions in the near future.
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