Leyte-Cebu electric link-up approved

CATBALOGAN, Samar — The National Transmission Corporation (Transco) has approved the $68.49 million budget for an electric link between Leyte and Cebu.

However, the island of Samar is complaining that its appeal for more steel electric towers that would ensure sufficient supply of power was never considered.

Transco president Alan Ortiz said the completion of the Leyte-Cebu transmission link-up by December 2004 is lined among the measures set to ease the looming power shortage that would soon affect the Visayas.

The Leyte-Cebu interconnection project is scheduled for bidding in April. The project involves the laying of a second submarine cable circuit between Leyte and Cebu. The said circuit will consist of three submarine cables, each having an approximate length of 32.5 kilometers.

Meanwhile, officials in Samar led by Calbayog City Mayor Mel Senen Sarmiento urged the passing of a resolution that would ask the National Power Corporation and Transco to take necessary actions in solving the frequent brownouts in the island.

Sarmiento said the brownouts are driving away investors. The mayor said transmission lines in the island are still supported by wooden poles.

"Unfortunately, whenever there are typhoons or calamities, we experience brownouts," he lamented.

The neighboring island of Leyte has more steel towers supporting transmission lines than Samar. Samareños fear that three years from now, the wooden poles would start to weaken and fall one by one if no concrete action is taken. — Ricky Bautista