THE Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) said that they will be conducting a review of not only the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) over the Western Visayas blackout, but that of power plant operators as well.

Expecting a result of their query within six to eight weeks, Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) Chairman Monalisa Dimalanta said that possible sanctions can be meted against the NGCP and the power plant operators.

She noted that it is not just the NGCP but the six power plants in Western Visayas will also have to be checked.

"Because the six power plants may have lapses in maintaining standards. For example, did any of them fail to follow the Grid Code? In that case, they may also be penalized. It's not just NGCP, if we find that they didn't do their job," she said. 

"This time around, (it may take) maybe around six to eight weeks for us to complete the investigation,” she added.

Also, Dimalanta said that the NGCP may face certain backlash since they are considered as the "main actor" in operating, maintaining and developing the country's state-owned power grid.

She also said that the ERC will still get more information with regards to the occurrence of the region-wide blackout.

It will be recalled that power outages hit the islands of Panay, Guimaras, and Negros as a trip-off of electricity occurred at the Panay Energy Development Corp. (PEDC) Units 1 and 2, as well as the Palm Concepcion Power Corp. Unit 1.

Presently, Dimalanta said that the power supply in the Western Visayas is already "normal and stable."