MAYOR Al David Uy of the Island Garden City of Samal (Igacos) expressed that although the power situation has been gradually improving, there remains a need for a long-term solution to further enhance the power situation on the island.
In a radio interview, Uy said the Igacos’ Poblacion area now has an improved power situation compared to before, although brownouts still exist sparingly. However, for far-flung sitios, rotational brownouts are still being experienced.
He also clarified the state of calamity due to the recurring brownouts has not been lifted.
“Maniguro lang mi kay naa may mga areas gud nga gina-brownout pa gihapon,” Uy said in an interview by Davao City Disaster Radio on September 21.
Uy reiterated anew that power lines going to sitios must be improved and changed as they have deteriorated through time.
He also hopes for a long-term solution to their city’s power situation woes, given that their tourism has seen “close to normal” numbers as they recover from the Covid-19 pandemic.
He called on lawmakers to immediately rectify their power situation, especially since more and more resorts and developments are set to emerge in the city, with the upcoming Davao-Samal bridge under construction.
“Kay ang short-term nagpalit na ta og mga genset (generator sets), nagtabang nata sa electrification, sa mga mid-term projects… naa na’y mga solar projects,” Uy said.
It can be noted that the Northern Davao Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Nordeco), the electric provider on the island claimed that it has not implemented rotational brownouts in Samal since June 5, 2023, and that the power interruption the island experienced was due to the "interruption in the Mindanao grid that affected a 400-megawatt power supply." ICE