Guv to hold power distributor accountable

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia vowed to hold Camotes Electric Cooperative (CELCO) accountable for failure to fulfill its commitment to improve the power distribution in Camotes island.

Garcia said the officials of CELCO promised to her in several meetings before the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic to make the power distribution better by upgrading their distribution lines.

She said CELCO officials committed to upgrade their power lines from single-phase to three-phase.

"You have not delivered. And in fact ang sitwasyon sa Camotes nisamot og kagrabe. So expect some accountability from me kay duna moy gisaad nako, wa ninyo tumana," Garcia said.

The power problem in Camotes island is blamed on the poor distribution lines of the power cooperative.

“The problem is not on the supply, the problem is in the distribution kay kaning CELCO, through all these years wala pa gihapon maka upgrade nga dapat i-three phase ang linya. Single-phase in most cases mao na nga ang supply from generation three-phase pag-abot ngadto sa ilang single-phase mo trip,” Garcia said.

The governor said the people in the island are suffering from frequent power outages lasting up to seven hours.

In fact, the four municipalities in Camotes island--- Poro, San Francisco, Tudela and Pilar--- have already expressed their loss of confidence on the power distributor.

“Expressing loss of trust and confidence to the management of Camotes Electric Cooperative or CELCO and requesting Mr.  Edgardo Masongsong, administrator of National Electric Administration through CELCO board of directors, to change the leadership of the said distribution company,” Garcia read the joint resolution of the four local government units.

The governor has assured the residents of Camotes island that she will find a way to address the problem. — FPL (FREEMAN)