BANGUED, Abra - Abra is in total darkness as power supplier Aboitiz Power Corp. has cut off its supply lines to the Abra Electric Cooperative (Abreco) apparently because of unpaid arrears amounting to P35 million.
Abra's electricity would have been cut off since October had it not been for the intervention of government officials.
Abra governor Eustaquio Bersamin and Rep. Jocelyn Bernos had reportedly asked the private firm to delay cutting off power in the province.
On December 26, 2011, Aboitiz signed an agreement with Abreco to provide electricity to more than 43,000 member-consumers of the cooperative.
Abreco distributes electricity to 26 municipalities in Abra.
The cash-strapped cooperative has been unable to improve its finances.
Cooperative manager Loreto Seares Jr. has earlier vowed that the cooperative would be able to fulfill their side of the agreement with the Aboitiz firm. Seares said the cooperative is also planning to build a mini-hydro project in Daguioman town, also in the province to tap renewable energy potentials in the province.
With the province without electricity, both government and Abreco officials are looking for alternatives to bring back electricity to the area.