By PNA and U.S. News Agency / Asian

The local government in this island city in the Davao Region has intervened in the squabble between the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) and National Electric Cooperation (NEA) over the management of the Davao Del Norte Electric Cooperative (DANECO) in providing power in the island.

City Administrator Anacleto Gales said the city government was forced to intervene since the submarine cable currently attached to the Davao Light and Power Corporation (DLPC) based in Davao City line is “fully dilapidated and will explode anytime.”

He said the submarine cable is the sole power lifeline of the island now in the wake of the financial incapability of DANECO to maintain power at the island.

Gales said based on the evaluation of DANECO experts, the submarine cable which is already over 30 years old has a capacity of 5 mpa (megapascal). But as of today, the load capacity of the cable has already reached an average of 4.8 mpa and would give way anytime. The cable was damaged when it got hooked with the anchor of a ship that resulted in days of power block out in the entire island.

“DANECO experts said they are worried because the cable will explode anytime. If this happens that would be a big economic disaster to the island,” Gales said.

He said they have already prepared a letter addressed to Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez, to intervene in the ongoing squabble between CDA and DANECO to save the tourism industry of the island.

The local government made an initial intervention over the problem in the island power by communicating with the late DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo. Robredo endorsed the problem to Department of Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras.

Result of the referendum on the endorsement of DANECO showed that 49,000 members favored to endorse DANECO to CDA while less than 2,000 members favored redemption, Gales said.

Samal Island has over 70 registered resorts. The loss of power is seen to trigger a huge loss in the island’s tourism industry, Gales said.

In an assembly of DANECO subscribers recently, about 9,000 expressed their interest to turn over DANECO to the Davao Light and Power Corporation (DLPC), Gales said.

Cases are now filed between the warring parties, pending resolution of these cases, the power problem in Samal Island stays and would worsen once the submarine cable collapses, he added.