Power outage set tomorrow

Several parts of Cebu City and Metro Cebu will experience brownouts tomorrow, Sunday as the Visayan Electric Company has scheduled a switching of loads and circuits for parts of Cebu City and Mandaue City.

The power firm said that the operation will last for a day wherein the heart of Metro Cebu will experience power outage from a minimum of 15 minutes to a maximum of one-and-a-half hour.

Barangays and or areas that would be affected are Lorega, Hipodromo, Barrio Luz, Mabolo, Banilad, Apas, Lahug, Oppra, Kalunasan, Camputhaw, Capitol Site, Guadalupe, Gochan Hills and part of the reclamation area.

In the northern part of Cebu, major lines will be constructed and the activation of the Mandaue tower transformer will take place. A minimum of 30 minutes to a maximum of six hours power outage is expected to hit barangays/areas Banilad, Bakilid, Subangdaku, Tipolo, A.C. Cortes avenue, Guizo, Ibabao, Maguikay, Alang-Alang, Mandaue Centro, Pagsabungan, Tingub, Casuntingan, Estancia, Cambaro, Looc and Mantuyong.

VECO said that the interruptions will occur at 6 a.m. and will last until midnight.

Meanwhile, VECO issued an advisory warning its customers to beware of persons who pose as "VECO field collectors."

This after the power utility received numerous reports about persons posing as its collectors, roaming around the city and even in the municipalities.

These persons are allegedly wearing bogus VECO uniforms and that they go around residences presenting themselves as VECO field collectors, asking for the homeowners' electricity bill payments.

"VECO management is concerned about these reports and is warning the public on this modus operandi. The company does not have any field collectors anywhere in Cebu City and the municipalities within its franchise area. Transactions made with these persons will not be honored," it said in the advisory.

Customers are still requested to pay at VECO's collection offices and accredited banks. - Wenna A. Berondo