Cebu eyes power generation takeover on Malapascua Island

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CEBU CITY, Philippines – Cebu’s provincial government on Friday announced its bid to supply power to the tourist island of Malapascua in Daanbantayan town, north of Cebu.

Governor Gwendolyn Garcia announced this after the Cebu II Electric Cooperative, Inc. (CEBECO II) terminated its contract with PowerSource Philippines, Inc. (PSPI) due to inadequate power service on the island.

The province, she said, will ask the Department of Energy to allow the Capitol to take over the power generator to ensure a reliable power supply to the world-class tourism destination.

“Given Malapascua’s status as a top tourist destination, the power outages have had a significant negative impact on local tourism and business operations,” a statement from the Capitol said.

PSPI has been Malapascua’s electricity service provider since 2009.

On the other hand, CEBECO II is the exclusive franchise holder on the island, as well as other towns in the fourth and fifth districts of Cebu.

CEBECO II has since waived its right to provide service in Malapascua in favor of PSPI, declaring the island as a remote and unviable area.

More than half of the island’s consumers have been seeking explanations for the frequent outages.

Commercial establishments were often asked to use generators, causing complaints from residents and businessmen in the area.