Generator donated to island devastated by Yolanda

CEBU, Philippines - A non-government organization has donated a slightly used Cummins 175KVA power generator to Barangay Hilantagaan, a typhoon Yolanda-hit island in Santa Fe town.

Makati City-based ICCP Group Foundation, Inc. (IGFI) is currently providing assistance to the typhoon victims in the area through its relief efforts and rehabilitation initiatives.

IGFI is also currently restoring power supply in the island barangay through its donation prompting the Bantayan Electric Company (BANELCO) to repair and restore the power lines and put up new poles.

The generator set is already installed in the island but Vice Governor Agnes Magpale said the operation and maintenance for its sustainable use remain to be addressed.

This prompted the Provincial Board to endorse the operation and maintenance of the generator set to the National Power Corporation-Small Power Utilities Group (NPC-SPUG).

Magpale said the provincial government deemed it appropriate and necessary to give the operation and maintenance of the small power plant in Hilantagaan Island to the NPC-SPUG through its Missionary Electrification Program.

"This undertaking is not contrary to law and is advantageous to the provincial government," Magpale said.

The power supply in the island barangay had been a problem long before typhoon Yolanda after the generator set broke two years ago.

The provincial government undertook the repair of the generator set.

The problem the Provincial Engineering Office encountered was that the parts that need to be changed were not available locally.

This prompted them to manufacture the parts instead so they can fix the generator immediately. — (FREEMAN)