Davao del Norte Board Member and former Samal City Mayor Al David Uy announced on Tuesday that the Davao Light and Power Company (Davao Light) has committed to begin laying a submarine cable connecting Davao City to the Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS) this October.
The announcement came during the ceremonial installation of the first distribution pole at the launch of Davao Light’s 22MVA digital substation and warehouse/stockyard facilities in Barangay Magugpo, Tagum City. The event marked a significant milestone in the expansion of the power utility’s services to the First District of Davao del Norte and IGaCoS.
“Nalipay ko na naa na gyud—this is the first step in Tagum. Hopefully, the people from Davao Light will follow through with a similar activity in October for the submarine cable that will connect mainland Davao to Samal,” Uy said.
Uy explained that since 2014, Samal has relied on modular diesel-fired generator sets to supply electricity.
“Without subsidies from the mainland, our electricity rates would reach up to ₱20 per kilowatt-hour. For nearly a decade, large generator sets have powered Samal. We don’t even have a substation. That’s why you’ll notice so many appliance stores on the island—our appliances keep breaking down,” he said.
He added that the island’s unreliable power supply has discouraged potential investors, particularly in critical sectors like healthcare.
“Our dialysis patients have to travel to the mainland. We’ve been inviting investors to build a tertiary hospital, but no one wants to come because of the unstable electricity,” Uy lamented.
Uy emphasized that Davao Light’s entry into Davao del Norte is a long-awaited breakthrough for Samaleños.
“Finally, after so many years, we’re seeing a solution to our long-standing power issues. Hopefully, the people’s voices will continue to be heard. For Samal, the most important needs are a bridge and reliable electricity. Once we have stable power, many problems will be solved—first, water. We all know that when there’s no electricity, there’s no water because our water pumps rely on power. Second, internet. When there’s a brownout, we lose internet too. That’s how vital electricity is for Samal. What’s happening now could finally be the long-term solution we’ve been waiting for,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Northern Davao Electric Cooperative (NORDECO), which currently supplies electricity to Samal, has been implementing a ₱1.1 billion submarine cable project intended to improve the island’s power supply. The project includes the installation of a new 69kV underwater cable from Pantukan to Samal Island, aimed at addressing frequent power interruptions and meeting the island’s growing demand.
According to NORDECO, the project was expected to be operational in the first quarter of 2023. However, as of now, no submarine cable has been installed.
“That submarine cable NORDECO promised? I don’t know where it is. They’ve been boasting about the Pantukan connection, but until now, there’s nothing,” Uy said.
