13 power firms told to explain long plant outages

MANILA, Philippines — Regulators have ordered 13 power companies to explain prolonged plant outages blamed for blackouts and high electricity prices in the Visayas and Mindanao.

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) issued the 24 show-cause orders (SCOs) to generation companies (gencos) whose generating units had breached allowable equivalent unplanned outage (EUO) limits.

The companies include those affiliated with power giants such as Aboitiz Power Corp., First Gen Corp., Meralco PowerGen Corp. (MGEN), San Miguel Global Power Holdings Corp. (SMGP) and Vivant Corp.

Among them are Aboitiz-backed Therma Mobile Inc., Therma Visayas Inc. and Cleanergy 9 Power Inc., as well as First Gen’s Energy Development Corp. and Bac-Man Geothermal Inc.

Also ordered to explain were MGEN’s Toledo Power Inc., Vivant’s Meridian Power Inc. and Excellent Energy Resources Inc., owned by MGEN, AboitizPower and SMGP.

Other companies issued SCOs include Belgrove Power Corp., Central Azucarera de San Antonio Inc., Republic Cement & Building Materials Inc. and Sunwest Water & Electric Co. 2 Inc., which is linked to former lawmaker Zaldy Co.

The ERC directed the concerned gencos to submit verified explanations addressing their reported non-compliance with applicable reliability performance standards.

Prior to the issuance of the SCOs, the agency had served notices of non-compliance with order to comply and explain on 25 gencos following outage events involving 48 generating units.

abtestabtest 295 DPWH projects to be removed By Marc Jayson Cayabyab | 1 day ago Close to 300 infrastructure projects deemed not compliant with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)’s evaluation would be removed from the P7.2-trillion proposed national budget for next year,... Headlines Senate eyes tougher animal welfare law By Marc Jayson Cayabyab | 1 day ago Senators have called for an inquiry in aid of legislation following a pet crematorium’s alleged dumping of animal remains... Headlines Stricter transport safety, security checks sought By Helen Flores | 5 days ago Senate committee on public services chairman Sen. Raffy Tulfo has urged agencies to ensure the safety of millions of people... Headlines Could Xi come to Manila? Palace says visit could help settle tension By Cristina Chi | 1 day ago China has yet to announce who will attend the Nov. 16-18 ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in Manila. Headlines DepEd procures over 170,000 MacBooks for teachers, staff By Cristina Chi | 1 day ago The Department of Education has purchased 170,000 Apple MacBook Neo laptops, in what Apple's chief executive called... Headlines Latest More in Headlines PNP: Pet crematorium faces 250 cases Martin sneaking out of jail? Sandigan wants explanation UP leads 45 Philippine schools in world ranking Business groups back people’s initiative vs dynasties abtest DFA’s Lazaro, Chinese FM in ‘frank, constructive’ talk By Pia Lee-Brago | 6 minutes ago  Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a “frank, pragmatic and... Headlines Marcos urges stronger protection vs cybersecurity threats 6 minutes ago President Marcos is pushing for stronger protection for Filipino consumers, workers, and micro, small and medium enterprises... Headlines $123.2 million allocated for El Niño response By Josiah Antonio | 6 minutes ago Around $123.2 million is allocated for readiness and response amid the “very strong” El Niño that will... Headlines Dizon eyes rider cap review By Josiah Antonio | 6 minutes ago Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon is eyeing a review of the cap on riders being enforced by the Land Transportation Franchising... Headlines Recommended The search for the 28th chief justice November 4, 2026 - 12:38am In the Philippine hierarchy of official ranks, the president is the highest official of the land, followed by the vice president, the Senate president, the speaker of the House, then the Supreme Court chief justice...r HeadlinesHOUSE EDITORIAL — Most consequential U.S. midterm elections yet November 3, 2026 - 12:00am On November 3, 2026, around 250 million qualified Americans will take to the polls to decide on 435 Congressional district and 33 Senate seats in what looks to be the most consequential midterm polls in modern ...r HeadlinesTRENDING Stone dialogue November 1, 2026 - 12:00am Headline: “Senate minority urges government to pursue dialogue with Bato de la Rosa”. HeadlinesTRENDING Mga numero ni Sara October 30, 2026 - 12:00am Labing lisod nga tubagon ni Bise Presidente Sara Duterte sa iyang turno sa pagpresentar og mga ebidensiya ug mga testigo sa pagpadayon sa impeachment trial karong Nobyembre 9 mao ang dakong kalainan sa mga numero...r HeadlinesSARA DUTERTE next Recommended The search for the 28th chief justice In the Philippine hierarchy of official ranks, the president is the highest official of the land, followed by the vice president, the Senate president, the speaker of the House, then the Supreme Court chief justice as number 5 on the totem pole. But he has a far more important job than all the four preceding him because his court can nullify any and all executive and legislative action. 23 hours ago HOUSE EDITORIAL — Most consequential U.S. midterm elections yet On November 3, 2026, around 250 million qualified Americans will take to the polls to decide on 435 Congressional district and 33 Senate seats in what looks to be the most consequential midterm polls in modern times. 2 days ago TRENDING Stone dialogue Headline: “Senate minority urges government to pursue dialogue with Bato de la Rosa”. 4 days ago TRENDING Mga numero ni Sara Labing lisod nga tubagon ni Bise Presidente Sara Duterte sa iyang turno sa pagpresentar og mga ebidensiya ug mga testigo sa pagpadayon sa impeachment trial karong Nobyembre 9 mao ang dakong kalainan sa mga numero sa iyang Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net worth ug bank accounts. 6 days ago SARA DUTERTE OK Are you sure you want to log out? Yes No X Login Philstar.com is one of the most vibrant, opinionated, discerning communities of readers on cyberspace. With your meaningful insights, help shape the stories that can shape the country. Sign up now!