Siargao islands in total blackout for over a week

For over a week now, the Siargao group of islands – the country’s top surfing destination – is still in total blackout, caused by a damage of its underwater power cable, Siargao Island Electric Cooperative (SIARELCO) General Manager Sergio Dagooc has said.

Dagooc claimed the underwater cable near Barangay Doña Helen in the island town of Socorro was discovered having damage last April 1.

Dagooc, however, said divers from Davao have already been dispatched by SIARELCO in the area to determine the extent of the damage of the 9.32-kilometer underwater power line.

According to him, months of repair work may be needed to completely restore to normal levels the power supply to the islands, adding that the situation may have a huge impact on tourist arrivals there.

The island has become a second home of many foreign tourists, especially surfing buffs.

The Commission on Elections in Caraga Region headquarters is worried about the possibility that the blackout may last until the May 10 elections or beyond, unless immediate remedies are undertaken.

Comelec officials of the eight municipalities of Siargao have suggested the installation of power generating sets in its total 140 polling precincts in all 112 barangays of the islands’ eight towns.

The towns of the Siargao group of islands are: Burgos, Dapa, Del Carmen General Luna, Pilar, San Benito, San Isidro, Sta. Monica and Socorro. The island group has a total 76,035 registered voters. — BS/LBG/RSJ, GMANews.TV

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