Significant switch-on ceremony for white-sand Polo Islet, Sta. Cruz, Marinduque

Gracing Polo Islet switch-on ceremony: From left, Cong. Lord Allan Velasco, Marelco GM Gaudencio Sol, Jr., Sta. Cruz Mayor Marissa Red, Vice-Governor Romulo Bacorro, Jr., and Polo's barangay officials. Photo: Jewel Maxinne

Today, February 9, 2018, a Switch-on Ceremony was held in the quiet white-sand island of Polo in Sta. Cruz, Marinduque. It's in connection with the first ever installation of a three-phase submarine cable connecting Polo Islet to the Marinduque main grid. 

The second and third phase of the project involves the installation of similar submarine power cables from Polo to Maniwaya Island, then from Maniwaya Island to Mompong Island, also expected to be implemented this year.

According to Marelco general manager, Gaudencio Sol., Jr. as soon as all the service drops of Polo Island household are transferred to the new power line residents of the island will enjoy an uninterrupted 24/7 power supply. 

The P50-million project was funded through an electrification program of the National Electrification Administration under administrator Edgardo Masongsong who was appointed new NEA head in November 2016, by President Rodrigo Duterte.

Photo shows Cong. Velasco, NEA administrator Masongsong (second from right), Marelco GM Gaudencio Sol with NEA and Velasco's staff (left).

It will be recalled that a year ago, Marinduque Representative Lord Allan Velasco posted in his FB account thus: "Had lunch with NEA Admin. Masongsong... also reiterated for the electrification of the three islands in Sta. Cruz (Polo, Maniwaya, Mompong), in connection with tourism plans for the province. I just ask my kababayans to be patient with regard to the restoration of electricity (after Typhoon Nina), as this is no simple task."

Photo: Oliver Bautista