SAMAL ISLAND - In a bid to address the power problems on the Island Garden City of Samal (Igacos) in Davao del Norte, the Northern Davao Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Nordeco) revealed that it targets to change the decades-old submarine cable of the island by the end of the year.
“Hopefully, this end of the year mataud na ang atong submarine cable sa Samal Island diin by next year matagamtaman na nato ang fully-implementation niini, isip kabahin sa pagpalambo sa Nordeco, maong gipaspasan nato kini kay taas-taas og demand og kuryente ang Samal (we will be able to install a new submarine cable for Samal Island and have it fully operational by next year. We are fast-tracking this as the power demand on Samal Island increases),” Officer-In-Charge of Nordeco Elvera Alngog, said during a short press conference on July 31, 2022 at their office in Montevista, Davao de Oro.
The submarine cable from abroad, which has a project cost of around P1.1 billion, will arrive in September, the official said.
After President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. vetoed House Bill 10554, which expands the franchise area of Davao Light and Power Company (DLPC) to other parts of Davao del Norte, Igacos Mayor Al David Uy said they will still lobby for the island to be covered under a new electric utility company.
He said Igacos is closer to Davao City and Nordeco utilizes some of the facilities of Davao Light, an AboitizPower subsidiary, to deliver electricity to the island.
Meanwhile, Nordeco said its officials and members are thankful and assured the member-consumer-owners (MCOs) that they will improve their services until their franchise ends in 2028 and in 2033.
In its official statement, Nordeco thanked President Marcos Jr. for his trust in the electric cooperative and for his high regard for the mandate of former President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr. on his electrification program in the country through his Presidential Decree No. 269. JPC