SAMAL ISLAND, Davao del Norte - Following the consumers' rally on Wednesday, March 1, the
Northern Davao Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Nordeco) maintained that they are doing their best to solve the multiple power interruptions experienced by their customers in the Island Garden City of Samal (Igacos)
A number of residents gathered outside Nordeco's office in Babak District complained about the alleged high electricity rates and the alleged failure of Nordeco to respond to their concerns in providing their consumers with sustainable electricity services for more than six years.
While the people were outside, a press conference was immediately held where Nordeco Acting General Manager Elvera S. Alngog answered some concerns.
Alngog admitted that there have been a series of brownouts in the island but it is not due to the negligence of Nordeco. Otherwise, it is due to the shutdown of three units of Mindoro Grid Corporation (MGC).
"Tinuod to nga nag-curtail ta tungod kay ang MGC nag-shutdown ang tulo ka unit, so far nangayo nata og official statement from MGC para pod mahibalo atong katawhan sa Samal Island nga dili tong unit ni Nordeco ang nag-shutdown kun dili ang unit sa MGC (It is true that we are curtailing because MGC has shut down three units, so far we have asked for an official statement from MGC so that our people in Samal Island know that it is not Nordeco's unit that shut down but MGCs)," the Nordeco official emphasized.
With this, MGC has been looking for a way to supply enough electricity to Samal Island and to fix the generator sets that are just being stationed in the island.
Alngog also responded to the cable repair issue which will require some P9 million just to be connected to the Davao Light and Power Company (DLPC). She said even if it will be fixed, they are uncertain if DLPC will still be open to such following the House Bill that is currently pending in Congress.
Nordeco has also requested more gen-sets from MGC to have an alternative power supply if there are shutdowns.
"Naningkamot gyod ang Nordeco nga walay curtailment, kinsa man gyoy ganahan og curtailment nga nabati gyod namo unsay mga hinaing sa katawhan sa Samal Island. Wala gyod mi nagpasagad ug ang management ginabuhat ang tanan aron ma-solve ang problem in Samal (Nordeco is really trying to have no curtailment, nobody wants curtailment. We have heard the grievances of the people of Samal Island. We are not neglecting them and the management is doing everything to solve the problem in Samal," Alngog said.
The one-megawatt per MGC unit requested by Nordeco is also ready to supply enough electricity to the island.
In the 'No to NORDECO Services' rally held on Wednesday, Alngog said, "Dili kini babag aron kami padayon nga mohatag og serbisyo sa Isla, himuon namo kining hagit aron mas mapanindot pa ang among serbisyo ngadto sa katawhan duyog usab sa among makanunayong pag-ampo kay tungod luyo niining tanan, ang NORDECO still fighting (This is not a hindrance for us to continue to provide services to the Island, we will treat it as a challenge to make our service to the people even better along with our constant prayers because behind all this, Nordeco is still fighting)."
Consumer group Davao Consumer Movement (DCM) recently aired their opposition to Nordeco's plan to continue tapping Mindoro Power Corp. to supply power to the island, instead of fixing the underground cable that conked out on Christmas Day 2022.
"We believe this decision has only led to increased costs for us as customers and further problems with the stability and affordability of our power source," DCM said in a statement.
The group also opposed Nordeco's "inexplicable solution" of building a P1.4 billion, 25-kilometer submarine cable when there are faster, much cheaper solutions available.
"This project is financially senseless and technically unsound, and will have grave impact on our electricity bills not only for Samalenyos but the entire consumer base of Nordeco," DCM said.
