Malapascua Island in the town of DaanBantayan has been without electricity since April 28 and its town officials including the provincial government were not aware of this until recently.
DaanBantayan Mayor Sun Shimura in an interview with The Freeman yesterday said that they are unaware of this situation and will have it checked.
Lawyer Rory Jon Sepulveda, who is the Capitol consultant on information also said the same thing and said he will have it checked too.
Logon barangay captain Rex Novabos told The Freeman that since April 28 their barangay had been without electricity after their power generator broke down and is now under repair.
He said that they may still be without electricity go even after their fiesta on May 11.
Electricity in the island is provided by a generator being operated by the Barangay Power Association, which reportedly has been operating at a loss.
In fact, Novabos said, he lent the association P100,000 to help defray the cost of the repair of the generator.
BAPA serves more than 200 households in the 136-hectare island with more than 5,000 residents. Some of the resorts in the island have their own power generators.
Meanwhile, Sepulveda clarified that illegal structures in the island will be demolished but for now, only the commercial establishments that are situated within the 20-meter salvage zone will be affected.
Novabos has opposed of the demolition for being “selective” considering that there are 118 houses that are situated within the salvage zone.
Sepulveda said that eventually the houses located with the salvage zone will be demolished, but this will not be done without providing them a relocation site.
“Mao na nga in the meantime, and mga commercial establishments ang ato-ang gi-una ug demolish and we cannot demolish the houses without giving them relocation site,” Sepulveda said.
The 20-meter salvage zone is imposed as part of the Malapascua Island Eco-Tourism Development Plan of clearing the white-sand beaches from illegal structures. — Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/NLQ