Press Release - Senators Bong Go, Tolentino, and dela Rosa call for Senate probe on Samal Island's ower woes

Senators Christopher "Bong" Go, Francis Tolentino, and Ronald dela Rosa, on Monday, April 1, have jointly authored and filed Senate Resolution No. 981 directing the Senate Committee on Energy to launch an inquiry in aid of legislation to look into the persistent electricity supply problems in the Island Garden City of Samal (IGACOS).

The investigation aims to assess the capability of the Northern Davao Electric Cooperative (NORDECO) to provide stable and dependable power to the area and seek long-term solutions to prevent future disruptions.

The resolution stems from ongoing concerns over frequent power outages in IGACOS, which have severely impacted residents and the island's bustling tourism industry.

Despite previous assurances from NORDECO to address these issues, including the completion of a submarine cable project intended to bolster the electricity supply, substantial improvements have remained undelivered.

Go, Tolentino, and dela Rosa, through their filed resolution, have highlighted the constitutional provision that allows Congress to amend or repeal franchises when the common good is at stake. The inquiry is not just about scrutinizing NORDECO's performance but also about ensuring that the cooperative lives up to its mandate of providing affordable and dependable electricity to its service areas, which include 16 municipalities, two cities, and two provinces in the Davao region.

The resolution also recalls a previous Senate inquiry in July 2023, when IGACOS was declared under a state of calamity due to the power crisis. It emphasizes the critical role of a stable power supply in supporting local businesses, particularly in the tourism sector, which is a vital component of the island's economy.

In an earlier statement, Go called for urgent action to address the recurring power outages, especially amid the sweltering summer heat that significantly raises the region's heat index.

"Noong mga nakaraang araw, naiulat na halos araw-araw na ang mga brownout sa Island Garden City of Samal. Nangyayari ito sa kalagitnaan ng tag-init kung saan napakataas ng heat index sa rehiyon. Panahon naman gud karon sa Marso, init gyud kaayo ang panahon, (It is March now, so