DAVAO Del Norte Electric Cooperative Incorporated-National Electrification Authority (Daneco-NEA) announced that the Samal Submarine Cable will push through within this year.

Daneco-NEA chairman Mario Angelo Sotto said on Saturday, April 13, they are now finalizing the project that will their substation in Pantukan, Compostela Valley to the one in the Island Garden City of Samal (Igacos).

“Karun naa man ‘tay existing (cable) pero didto na siya naga-agi sa Panacan, pero controlled kasi na sa private,” Sotto said.

In a previous report, the underground cable system aims to address the looming power situation in the island. Resort owners are the most affected by the power crisis.

Daneco had previously denied reports that it will be waiving its power supply operations, and that Davao Light and Power Co. (DLPC) had already agreed on substituting them.

Sotto said the project plan was already presented and approved by Igacos Mayor Al David Uy.

The submarine cable line will have a length of 11.8 kilometers from Pantukan going to Samal, while the overhead lines will consume 3.8 kilometers, then in Samal wherein there will be another construction of overhead lines going through the substation.

Sotto said the project is estimated to be at around P800 million to P1 billion.

He said the ongoing conflict between two factions, the NEA and the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), did not affect the project, as it will provide better service to their consumers.

Sotto said the groundbreaking is tentatively slated before the midterm elections. Christine Ruelan, Usep intern