Installation of Davao City-Samal submarine cable eyed in October
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DAVAO Light and Power Company (Davao Light) is set to begin installing its submarine cable linking Davao City to the Island Garden City of Samal (Igacos) in October, according to Davao del Norte Board Member and former Samal City Mayor Al David Uy.
The announcement was made during the ceremonial installation of Davao Lights first distribution pole at the launch of its 22MVA digital substation and warehouse facilities in Barangay Magugpo, Tagum City, July 8, 2025. The facility marks the start of Davao Lights service expansion into 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.
(Im glad that its finally happening this is the first step in Tagum. Hopefully, Davao Light will follow through with a similar activity in October for the submarine cable that will connect mainland Davao to Samal).
Uy noted that the submarine cable project is expected to address Samals long-standing power supply issues.
Since 2014, the island has relied on modular diesel-powered generator sets without a substation, resulting in unstable electricity and high power rates that could reach up to P20 per kilowatt-hour without subsidies.
He noted that the unreliable power supply has caused damage to electrical appliances and discouraged investments, particularly in healthcare. Dialysis patients from Samal still travel to the mainland for treatment due to the lack of a tertiary hospital.
Uy added that stable electricity would also help address water supply interruptions and poor internet connectivity on the island, both of which rely on consistent power.
Meanwhile, the Northern Davao Electric Cooperative (Nordeco), which currently supplies electricity to Samal, has yet to complete its P1.1 billion submarine cable project that is intended to link the island to Pantukan via a 69kV underwater line. The project was expected to be operational by the first quarter of 2023, but has seen no visible progress.
With Davao Light set to begin its submarine cable works in October, Uy anticipates improvements in power stability and economic development for the island.
