Congressman Hector Sanchez, one of 11 representatives honored last week for their legislative work, said providing a permanent solution to Catanduanes’ long-running power supply issue would be much better than celebrating an award.
“Nakakataba ng puso na nare-recognize ang mga efforts natin. Pero kailangan na muna po nating isakatuparan ang grand solution sa unstable na supply ng kuryente sa isla bago tayo lubusang mag-celebrate!” he said in response to a query.
Sanchez was one of 11 House members who were chosen as Honorary Congressman of the Year on March 19 at Okada Manila during the 2022 Nation Builders, and Most Sustainable and Livable (MOSLIV) Awards given out by Sustainability Solutions, Inc.
The solons were honored for their progressive and modern solutions to problems being faced by the nation while promoting sustainable projects that address the primary needs of the people.
Cong. Sanchez remarked that the award would only have greater relevance once his promise to interconnect the Catanduanes island grid to the mainland Luzon grid through a 69-kV sub-transmission submarine electric cable would be realized by 2025.
“Multi-billion-peso project ang paglalatag ng submarine electric cable. Bukod sa epekto ng mga nagdaang bagyo at pandemya, ang mabusising proseso ng paggawa ng disenyo ng konstruksyon at instalasyon ang nakapagpabagal sa pag-usad ng proyekto sa pre-implementation stage pa lamang. Pero hindi natin susukuan ang pangarap nating sustainable power supply sa Catanduanes, kahit pinagtatawan na tayo,” he explained.
It may be recalled that the development of the project, proposed by the congressman a month after he assumed office in 2019, was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the series of storms that hit the island in 2020.
Officials and technical personal of the National Transmission Commission (TransCo) recently visited the island to inform the congressman that the design for the grid interconnection project has already been completed after several revisions.
TransCo said that they are now on the last stage of their inspection of areas through which the cable will pass, with the signing of the construction agreement to be conducted soon.
The 2022 Nation Builders and MOSLIV Awards intends to honor leaders for their able and competent performance in improving the lives of the people, especially legislators who push programs for development opportunities and earth-friendly practices.