Manila, Sept. 16 -- Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. underscored the need for backup power sources and timely repair and restoration of power plants as the province prepares for higher electricity demand during El Nino.

Defensor met with power industry players, including the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP), power generators and distribution utilities, to discuss the energy situation in the Visayas.

"We try to understand so we will know what to do. Currently, we are on yellow and red alert because power is not sufficient; we have plants that are down," he said in an interview Tuesday afternoon.

He said the plants are expected to be back online by October once repairs are completed.

The insufficient reserve in the Visayas a...