Lights out in Abra

Bangued, Abra, Philippines – Abra was in total darkness yesterday after Aboitiz Power Corp. cut the lines of the Abra Electric Cooperative (Abreco) over unpaid arrears amounting to P35 million.

Abra Gov. Eustaquio Bersamin and Rep. Jocelyn Bernos reportedly went out of their way to ask Abreco to delay cutting power in the province.

Aboitiz signed an agreement with Abreco on Dec. 26, 2011 to provide electricity to more than 43,000 members of the cooperative.  However, the cash-strapped cooperative failed to  prop up its standing and began incurring debts.

Officials in the province, including Abreco, are looking for solutions, saying it remains uncertain when power could be restored.