BORACAY, Aklan - This island is suffering from intermittent power interruptions and fluctuations after submarine power cables were damaged by vessels docking at the shoreline in the past few months.

While the power interruptions have not seriously affected the operation of resorts, because most are equipped with power generators, business owners are calling for government attention to the problem to prevent long-term damage to the country's prime tourist destination. The power interruptions started in February after the cargo barge LCT Filipino, damaged one of two submarine cables linking the island to the Aklan mainland when it docked at Barangay Manoc-Manoc in the southern part of the 1,032-hectare island.

The damage worsened after unidentified vessels which docked on the shoreline also struck the underwater cables on February 26 and April 22. The docking site is the entry point for cargo vessels bringing in supplies to resorts and restaurants and construction materials.

Wilfredo Ortiz, officer-in-charge of the Aklan Electric Cooperative, said they were forced to used the 69 kv transmission line of the National Transmission Corp. because the two Akelco lines were severely damaged. The Transco line is intended to be used to connect to power substation to be constructed on the island.

Ortiz said the brownouts and power fluctuations, which occur at the peak demand at night, are caused by the leaks a 2-meter span of the damaged submarine cables which were severed or burned. The cable lines were installed around 30 years ago.

The daily peak demand on the island reaches 7.5 megawatts daily, according to Akelco and is expected to increase to 8.5 mw next year and 9.3 mw in 2009. Boracay has around 2,000 consumers including 250 resorts, hotels and restaurants.

Ortiz said they have started the repairs on Monday which could take around 10 days. The repairs are estimated to cost around P5 million including the extraction and the submersion of the two damaged cable lines. A 100-meter span of the cable lines will embedded a meter below the seabed to protect it from future damage.

The Akelco has asked the municipal government of Malay to regulate the docking of vessels especially at the area where the submarine cables of Akelco and other utility lines are located. Ortiz said they have asked the municipal council to pass an ordinance barring sea vessels to dock in the area.

Akelco has also asked for assistance from the Coast Guard and Tourism Secretary Joseph "Ace" Durano to prevent more damage to the transmission lines.

The Boracay Chamber of Commerce and Industry said the power interruptions and fluctuations are causing additional expenses and have damaged electrical units.

It said attention attention should be given to resolve the problem immediately because it might affect tourist arrivals on the island. Around half a million tourists visited the island last year with earnings reaching P8 billion.

The BCCI said that even if the submarine cable lines are repaired, the long-term power supply needs of the island should also be addressed because the existing transmission lines from the mainland to Boracay could not sustain the increasing power needs of the island.*NPB

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