The 20-MVA substation to be built in Peñaplata, on the other hand, will cater to the growing power demand of Samal Island.

The Davao del Norte Electric Cooperative Inc. (DANECO) is embarking on a P1-billion electrification program in its franchise area.

In an e-mailed statement on Wednesday, the National Electrification Administration (NEA) said the program will include the installation of a 72-kilovolt (kV) submarine cable to improve the energy supply on the Island Garden City of Samal (IGACOS).

It also entailed the construction of a new building in Tagum City, the set-up of the 69-kV overhead sub-transmission line for a submarine cable connection, the installation of the 72-kV submarine cable to be completed in one year, and the 20-megavoltampere substation on Samal Island.

The whole plan is seen completed in five years and boost power generation to 35 megawatts from 10 MW at present.

NEA said the three projects related to submarine cable connection amounted to P1.1 billion, with sources to come from loan with the Bank of Commerce. These are in partnership with the local government units of Pantukan and IGACOS and the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP).

Meanwhile, the submarine cable will run 11.5 kilometers from Pantukan, Compostela Valley to Aundanao, Peñaplata in IGACOS. The 20-MVA substation to be built in Peñaplata, on the other hand, will cater to the growing power demand of Samal Island.

“This is a product of collective effort of all the member-consumer-owners of DANECO, the electric cooperative, with the help and support of the local government units in the two provinces of Davao del Norte and Davao de Oro, or the former Compostela Valley,” NEA Administrator Edgardo Masongsong said.

“We are looking forward for a reliable service, efficient system, and hopefully, affordable electricity rate, if not cheap. This will realize economic and social development for all the constituents of the two provinces of Davao del Norte and Davao de Oro,” he added.

Upon completion, Masongsong said the electrification projects are expected to boost the economic and tourism activities on Samal Island, and unlock many opportunities for the residents.