Man hurt climbing utility pole, triggers Talisay power outage

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — A 53-year-old man was injured after suffering an electric shock while climbing a utility pole, triggering a sudden power interruption in parts of Talisay City, Negros Occidental, on Saturday night.

Negros Electric and Power Corp. (NEPC) said in an online advisory that it implemented an emergency power interruption after a person was electrocuted while allegedly attempting to steal electrical wires.

Police, however, are still investigating why the man, identified only as “Jimmy” of Barangay Zone 7, climbed the utility pole along Mabini Highway in Barangay Zone 15 shortly after 8 p.m.

Police cited accounts from people who knew the man that he sometimes behaved erratically.

The man sustained burns to his face and other parts of his body and was rescued by personnel of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.

He was taken to Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital in Bacolod City for treatment.

Meanwhile, NEPC restored power to the affected areas after about 20 minutes and thanked consumers for their patience and continued support.

The affected Talisay Feeder 2 serves the south side of Magsaysay Avenue, from the Talisay Substation to the highway, as well as Barangays Zone 7, 8, 9, 14, 14A, 14B, and 15, and portions of Barangays Zone 6 and 10.

Other affected areas included Miramar Park Subdivision, CICM Seminary, Nature’s Village Resort, Ayala Northpoint, Asyana, Plantazionne, Verdana, Amaia, Avida, Enclaves, Town & Country, La Costa Brava, Ford, Honda, Toyota, Wilcon Depot, and The District Northpoint.