As the New Year dawned, several residents of Leyte faced an unexpected challenge with a ten-hour power outage.
The outage began on the evening of December 31, disrupting celebrations for many families as they welcomed 2025.
The energy crisis struck a region that was already on edge, grappling with intermittent electricity supply issues in the months preceding the holiday season.
Local authorities reported that the outage was due to cut ACS conductor (down conductor at midspan), approximately 2 meters from the phase A insulator (forward span), of the suspension-type Str. # 66A-B to dead-end Str. # 67-HT along Babatngon-Apitong 69kV line segment which is located in the mountainous portion of Barangay Diit, Tacloban City.
Unfortunately, the timing coincided with New Year festivities, raising concerns among residents.
Many locals expressed frustration over the lack of immediate action regarding the power interruption.
Community leaders called for better communication from the utility companies to ensure that residents are well informed about planned outages in the future.
“I had planned a family gathering with fireworks, and it all went dark,” lamented a Leyte resident.
As families gathered to celebrate, the sudden loss of electricity turned moments of joy into disappointment.
Street parties were left in silence, and culinary spreads went unserved as kitchen appliances came to a halt.
Local businesses also reported significant losses as customers fled due to the absence of electric lighting and refrigeration.
Some residents took to social media to share their frustration, using the hashtag #LeytePowerOutage to unite voices against the inconvenience.
In response to the overwhelming feedback, the Leyte Electric Cooperative issued a public apology, admitting that the holiday timing could have been handled better.
Officials reassured residents that the maintenance work was necessary to improve overall electricity reliability in the region.
Despite these reassurances, the lingering dissatisfaction among residents was palpable.
Some families opted to light candles and enjoy their celebrations in a different, albeit dimmer, ambiance.
Others shared their experiences online, showcasing their resilience and community spirit in the face of adversity.
As the sun set on the first day of the New Year, hopes were voiced for a swift restoration of power and a better electricity supply moving forward.
Power crews worked diligently through the night to restore the electricity, aiming to alleviate the burden that the outage had placed on the community.
Their efforts were met with gratitude as power gradually returned to homes across Leyte.
By early January 1, most areas reported that electricity had been restored, allowing families to resume their celebrations.
However, this incident has sparked discussions about the need for improved infrastructure and transparency in communication regarding power outages.
With ongoing maintenance needs and growing energy demands, residents are advocating for proactive measures from their energy providers.
As the region looks to 2024, many are curious about how Leyte will address its energy challenges in the coming months.
The New Year celebration may have been marred by the unexpected power outage, but the community's resilience shone through.
Leyte's residents have made it clear that they expect better in the future.
The events on New Year’s Eve have highlighted not only the vulnerabilities of the region’s power supply but also the strength of community unity.
As discussions continue, there is hope that the lessons learned from this experience will lead to improvements in Leyte's energy services.
In the meantime, residents are leaning on one another for support and finding ways to celebrate amidst uncertainty.
With the dawn of a new year, the people of Leyte are determined to face the future together, united in their hopes for a more stable and reliable power supply.
#WeTakeAStand #OpinYon #OpinYonNews #CoverStory #NewYearPowerOutage #LeytePowerOutage