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Brix Lelis - The Philippine Star
March 15, 2026 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — Aboitiz-owned Davao Light and Power Corp. is putting up a submarine cable to connect Davao City’s electricity networks to Samal Island, which has long struggled with power woes.
The project’s initial step involves laying the submarine cable across one of the Pakiputan Strait’s narrowest points between the two areas.
The 69-kilovolt project, which includes 1,015 meters of submarine cable produced in China, is expected to be completed by the middle of this year.
“Davao Light is ready, poised and equipped to serve the people, communities and businesses of the Island Garden City of Samal,” Davao Light president and COO Enriczar Tia said.
“Our immediate priorities will be customer service support, network expansion and substation upgrades that will help build a robust electric distribution system,” Tia added.
Earlier, the Energy Regulatory Commission granted the provisional authority for Davao Light’s certificate of public convenience and necessity, which cleared the way for the submarine cable laying.
A subsidiary of leading electricity producer Aboitiz Power Corp., Davao Light is the country’s third-largest distribution utility, serving Davao, Panabo, Carmen, Dujali and Santo Tomas.
In April 2025, Republic Act 12144 effectively expanded Davao Light’s franchise to include Tagum City, Samal and several areas in Davao del Norte and Davao de Oro.
A regional trial court in Panabo, meanwhile, has issued a writ of possession authorizing the company to take over all electric distribution assets in Samal.
“With the expected stability in the power network, we look to attract investors and generate more jobs for our people here in Samal,” Samal Mayor Lemuel Reyes said.
Samal’s population is over 119,000 as of 2024, Philippine Statistics Authority data showed.
