BUSINESS owners are urging the government to resolved the extended power interruptions in Siargao Island caused by a line fault in the submarine cable of the electric cooperative serving the region.
This was expressed at a focus group discussion (FGD) organized by energy consumer organization ILAW.
ILAW said in a statement on Tuesday business owners are incurring financial losses due to the situation that started on December 1.
Among issues raised during the FGD include the loss of revenues for local business owners as they are not capable of sourcing their own power generators and had to temporarily stop operations.
Tourists have cut short their stay to find other resorts with standby power.
ILAW said establishments with their own generators have to deal with high prices of fuel.
ILAW said the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Surigao del Norte wanted to utilize the Provincial Government’s Quick Response Fund to extend aid such as food, water and fuel to affected sectors. However, the group said the recommendation placing Siargao and the Bucas Grande Islands under state of calamity was stalled due to lack of quorum, as several Board Members were absent.
