Amid RP brownouts, generators to grab limelight in Pacquiao's Sunday bout

Due to brownout threats, power generators will gain prominence in the country as the Filipino boxing champ Emmanuel “Manny" Pacquiao steps into the ring to face Joshua Clottey in the United States this Sunday (Manila time). A report on dzBB radio on Friday said many local governments, including those in Metro Manila, are setting up generators in preparation for possible brownouts. In Manila’s Tondo district, the report said the city government arranged for generators to be installed at the Tondo Sports Complex where the bout will be shown for free. This is aside from the usual freebies such as juice drinks and snacks. The city government expects at least 2,000 people to show up and watch the bout there. Aside from the power generators and giant wide-screen television units, the city government also ordered at least 10 industrial fans installed to keep the viewers cool. Similar arrangements involving large television screens are being prepared in Poblacion village in Makati City, the dzBB report said. While Filipinos traditionally drop everything to watch Pacquiao in his bouts, they will have to contend with possible brownouts amid the sweltering summer heat this weekend. Making matters worse is a power shortage that threatens to bring blackouts to Mindanao. The problem prompted Malacañang to declare a state of calamity over Mindanao to allow local officials to use funds to address the power crisis there. — LBG, GMANews.TV