Protesters recently gathered in San Jose municipal covered plaza in a rally called Oksi Walang Power Movement, expressing grievances and pleading for a solution for the power crisis across Occidental Mindoro.

With only four hours of electric service per day, the people are greatly affected by the power crisis, according to Christopher Aguilar, the convener of Oksi Walang Power Movement.

“Ang usapin natin ngayon sa kuryente ay talagang sobra na…hindi natin kailangan ng paliwanag; solusyon ang kailangan natin,” Aguilar said.

Participants from the education sector also voiced out how the power crisis affected their work. Without electricity, making and printing out test papers, writing lesson plans, and preparing lessons for students are impeded, they said.

According to Mary Queen Bernardo from the Department of Education (DepEd) Provincial Office, some students have reportedly experienced headaches due to the heat of the dry season combined with the unavailability of electric fans and lights in the classrooms because of power outages.

Allan Paul Catena, also from the education sector, said that the crisis has impeded the province’s economic growth and through the rally, the people hope to reach the national government for an immediate response.

Member-Consumers of the Occidental Mindoro Electric Cooperative signed a petition to convene a special general assembly with the province’s electric distributor for possible short and long-term solutions to the power crisis in the province.

Governor Eduardo Gadiano issued an executive order earlier in the month, cancelling classes for private and public schools due to the discomforts brought about by the power crisis.