Iloilo: Ilonggos could expect fewer alerts for the Visayas grid next month, with planned short-term solutions targeted to come in this September. Energy Secretary Sharon Garin, in an interview on the sidelines of the 'Handog ng Pangulo: Serbisyong Sapat Para sa Lahat' caravan here on Monday, said the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) has to work overtime to complete the contract for the installation of batteries and stabilize the Visayas grid.

According to Philippines News Agency, Garin emphasized the urgency for NGCP to expedite their contractual obligations. "We have been pushing for NGCP to do the contract already. It's been two, three months already, and now it's getting worse for Visayas," she remarked. The short-term solutions are aimed at mitigating the impact on businesses, hospitals, and schools.

Garin expressed hope for a noticeable decline in alerts within the year, suggesting that there might be improvements by Christmas. She also mentioned the arrival of power barges by the end of this year or the first quarter of 2027 and urged both national and local governments to expedite their processing.

Moreover, Garin is advocating for a connection between Panay and Mindoro up to Batangas to ensure greater stability in the grid. "It gives us more assurance, more stability in the grid, and hopefully, build more power plants in other areas," she explained. However, since this is not yet part of NGCP's transmission development plan, private companies might be allowed to undertake this initiative.

In her meeting with the Regional Development Council on Monday, Garin sought support for projects aimed at resolving the power issues in the Visayas region.