House Speaker Martin Romualdez has stepped in to support the residents of Siargao Island, dispatching 30 generator sets and 300 solar panels to alleviate the impact of ongoing power outages. The equipment, crucial for restoring electricity, arrived at Sayak Airport in Del Carmen, Surigao del Norte, on a C-130 aircraft operated by the Philippine Air Force. The power disruptions, which began on December 1, are believed to be due to a fault in the submarine cable that connects the island to the mainland’s power supply.
The distribution of the equipment is being managed by the office of First District Representative Francisco Jose Matugas II. One of the generator sets was specifically allocated to the town of San Benito to support the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program, ensuring that the payout process could continue uninterrupted. Mayor Gina Menil of San Benito received the generator, highlighting the immediate impact of Romualdez’s aid.
Matugas expressed gratitude towards Romualdez, noting that the equipment would enable local government units to set up additional free charging stations across the island. This initiative is part of a broader effort to mitigate the effects of the power crisis on the community.
In related developments, the Office of Civil Defense in the Caraga Region has also contributed to the relief efforts by providing generators to critical facilities such as Sta. Monica District Hospital and Pilar District Hospital, as well as a water refilling station in Pilar town.
Efforts to repair the damaged submarine cable are ongoing, with the Siargao Electric Cooperative (Siarelco) reporting that divers and technical experts are working to pinpoint and fix the fault. Meanwhile, the provincial council of Surigao del Norte has yet to declare a state of calamity, as a planned session to formalize such a declaration was postponed due to insufficient attendance.