Power was restored on Saturday in Siargao Island after a crippling blackout that lasted 14 days.
POWER was restored in Siargao Island after a faulty submarine cable was repaired. (Siarelco FB)
Franchise holder Siargao Electric Cooperative said in a Facebook post that power returned after the successful repair of the submarine cable through the expertise and efforts of divers from Ocean-pro Marine Services and technical experts from ACAA Inc.
“We commend your professionalism and skill in ensuring the safe and efficient repair to our submarine cable through meticulous technical works,” Siarelco said.
“We also extend our deepest appreciation to the entire Siarelco team, especially our technical crew, for the unwavering dedication and hard work,” it added.
Siarelco said they remain steadfast in their commitment to serve member-consumer-owners with reliability and excellence. “Moving forward, we will continue to improve and strengthen our services to better meet the needs of our consumers.”
Surigao del Norte Rep. Francisco Jose Matugas II confirmed that power was indeed restored on the resort island on Saturday.
“After 14 days, our island-wide power outage is finally over! Together, we overcame this challenge stronger than ever! Gikan sa Day One hangtud sa Day Done, ini ra ako pirmi, nag iban sa ijo,” Matugas said in a Facebook post.
Matugas thanked Siarelco for their efforts in restoring power to Siargao.
POWER was restored in Siargao Island after this damaged submarine cable was repaired. (Siarelco FB)
Meanwhile, National Electrification Administration (NEA) chief Antonio Mariano Almeda visited Siargao on Saturday to commission a four-megawatt modular generator set in Barangay Roxas, San Isidro, which was part of the imported alternative sources of electricity delivered by neighboring electric cooperatives to Siarelco while it was working to repair the damaged power line.
Almeda said Siarelco committed to fully restore its electricity services by Dec. 20.
However, it was able to complete the restoration process within the day.
I commend your resiliency in trying to adapt to the situation in a speedy manner, he said.
Almeda said the generator would enable Siarelco member-consumers-owners to celebrate Christmas with ease.
Almeda inspected the unloading, installation, and commissioning of the eight-megawatt generator sets from the Agusan del Norte Electric Cooperative Inc. (ANECO) that will serve as additional augmented power supply.