Batanes folk get poor power services

BASCO, Batanes – Life has slowed down here for a month already, as a consequence of poor electric services provided by the National Power Corp.

All five generator sets owned by the Napocor, have bogged down, one after the other since early June.

According to Napocor chief Engr. Ernesto Rosas, he had requested as early as last March for the necessary spare parts to replace defective parts of its two generator sets that provide the electric power requirements of the whole Batan island.

However, the spare parts arrived only early this month when the generator sets had long time ago bogged down, he said.

Spares for the four other generators arrived later. But their operation were short-lived, since the spares provided were of inferior quality, he also said.

As of now, only one generator is providing electric power. But it could provide power only to a few households, Rosas said.

Napocor and its power distributor, the Batanes Electric Cooperative have adopted a scheme to serve their clients. Residents are enjoying eight hours of electric power every three days.

Hardest hit by the power interruption are household subscribers in this capital town of 3,500. They have no water that is pumped by generator sets to the water reservoir, before it flows to the households.

Government offices could accomplish little, since their office equipment that are also dependent on electricty could not be used.

Even the province’s only radio station, the Radyo ng Bayan, has ceased operations. Compounding the staton’s problem is its defective radio transmitter. – Jack Castaño