Boracay reels from power outages; gov’t urged to act fast BY NESTOR P. BURGOS JR.
BORACAY - Resorts are urging the government to solve the island’s power shortage, saying it was hurting tourism and other businesses.
The power supply problem began in February, after vessels docking on its shoreline damaged submarine power cables.
While the power interruptions have not seriously affected the operation of resorts because most are equipped with power generators, business owners are calling the government’s attention to the problem to prevent long-term damage to the country’s prime tourist destination.
The Boracay Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) said the power interruptions and fluctuations resulted in additional expenses and damage to electrical units.
It said the power supply problem should be resolved immediately because it might hurt tourist arrivals.
Last year, around half a million tourists visited the island and tourism earnings reached P8 billion.
The BCCI urged the government to address the long-term power supply needs of the island because the existing transmission lines from the mainland to Boracay could not sustain the island’s increasing power needs.
The power interruptions started in February after the cargo barge LCT Filipino damaged one of two submarine cables, which linked the island to the Aklan mainland. The barge was docking in Barangay Manoc-Manoc in the southern part of the 1,032-hectare island.
The damage worsened after unidentified vessels also struck the underwater cables on Feb. 26 and April 22.
The docking site is the entry point for cargo vessels bringing in supplies to resorts and restaurants, as well as construction materials.
Wilfredo Ortiz, officer-in-charge of the Aklan Electric Cooperative (Akelco), said the 69-kv transmission line of the National Transmission Corp. (Transco) had to be used after the two Akelco lines were damaged.
The power supply problem began in February, after vessels docking on its shoreline damaged submarine power cables.
While the power interruptions have not seriously affected the operation of resorts because most are equipped with power generators, business owners are calling the government’s attention to the problem to prevent long-term damage to the country’s prime tourist destination.
The Boracay Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) said the power interruptions and fluctuations resulted in additional expenses and damage to electrical units.
It said the power supply problem should be resolved immediately because it might hurt tourist arrivals.
Last year, around half a million tourists visited the island and tourism earnings reached P8 billion.
The BCCI urged the government to address the long-term power supply needs of the island because the existing transmission lines from the mainland to Boracay could not sustain the island’s increasing power needs.
The power interruptions started in February after the cargo barge LCT Filipino damaged one of two submarine cables, which linked the island to the Aklan mainland. The barge was docking in Barangay Manoc-Manoc in the southern part of the 1,032-hectare island.
The damage worsened after unidentified vessels also struck the underwater cables on Feb. 26 and April 22.
The docking site is the entry point for cargo vessels bringing in supplies to resorts and restaurants, as well as construction materials.
Wilfredo Ortiz, officer-in-charge of the Aklan Electric Cooperative (Akelco), said the 69-kv transmission line of the National Transmission Corp. (Transco) had to be used after the two Akelco lines were damaged.
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