After enduring years of blackouts due to serious damage in the submarine cable of
Davao del Norte Electric Cooperative, Inc. (DANECO), the power situation in the
Island Garden City of Samal (IGACOS) is now stable, the National Electrification
Administration (NEA) has learned.
NEA Administrator Edgardo Masongsong received the news from Igacos Mayor Al
David Uy himself who, in a letter sent December 13, said that electricity supply has
significantly improved in his city as soon as DANECO fixed its underwater
powerline.
Mayor Uy said the co-op also entered into a power supply agreement with Mindoro
Grid Corporation to supplement the electricity requirement of their island through its
eight-megawatt modular generator set at Brgy. Mambago-a, Peñaplata.
DANECO likewise transferred three units of its own one-megawatt modular
generator sets from Compostela Valley to Peñaplata in anticipation of increased
power demand and to ensure uninterrupted service for the residents of IGACOS.
“The total installed capacity (of the generator sets) is now more than enough to cater
the power need or requirement of our booming island even during peak time or
season,” the mayor said, acknowledging the efforts of DANECO, which is currently
under a NEA task force.
“I am just hoping that this will continue and be sustained, coupled with the delivery of
an efficient and quality service. This is a continuing challenge to DANECO, Inc. as
an electric distribution utility,” Mayor Uy added.
Last October 27, the Task Force Duterte-Northern Davao Power addressed similar
concerns in the island of Talicud, which is also part of IGACOS, where electricity
service is now available for 24 hours daily.
Masongsong, for his part, welcomed these developments especially in light of the
holiday season when electricity consumption is often expected to rise. He also find it
encouraging for the DANECO management, which is still hurdling a lot of challenges
in its operations.
“This is a breath of fresh air for the member-consumer-owners in Samal Island who
rightfully deserve a decent and reliable electricity service, especially with the
resurgence of tourism-related economic activity in Mindanao,” the NEA chief said.
Mayor Uy ended his letter to the administrator by expressing his “full support” to the
continuing reforms of the Task Force Duterte-Northern Davao Power and DANECO
so they can “extend better and quality service” to their stakeholders particularly in
IGACOS. ###