To also boost tourism in the island
TACLOBAN CITY – The P127-million Higatangan submarine cable project is set to begin this year and is expected to be completed within five to six months.
This 4-kilometer, three-phase submarine cable will provide 24-hour electricity to over 500 households across two barangays that currently experience only eight hours of power supply daily.
The project will also benefit tourism facilities offering accommodations, according to the Department of Tourism (DOT) in the region.
“Having 24/7 electricity is essential for tourism, as power is a basic requirement for accommodation establishments and service providers catering to tourists,” said DOT-8 Regional Director Karina Rosa Tiopes.
“Visitors expect to charge their gadgets, use electrical equipment, and enjoy well-lit surroundings, especially at night. Reliable electricity will enhance the overall visitor experience,” she added.
Tiopes also emphasized that uninterrupted power will attract more investments to the island, generating jobs, livelihoods, and additional income for locals. “Stable power availability gives businesses more confidence to invest, particularly in the hospitality industry,” she noted.
According to the Philippine Information Agency, the project is funded by the Department of Energy and facilitated by the National Electrification Administration. It has been in development for over four years, as confirmed by Biliran Electric Cooperative (Bileco) general manager Engr. Gerardo Oledan.
The submarine cable will run from Barangay Jubay in Calubian, Leyte, to Barangay Mabini in Higatangan Island, Naval, Biliran.
With a carrying capacity of 13,200 volts, it will replace the current limited power supply, which runs only from 3 pm to 11 pm.
Higatangan Island, accessible via a 30-minute motorboat ride from the port of Naval, is known for its shifting sandbar in Brgy.Mabini, which changes position based on the monsoon. The island also features a sunken chapel ideal for scuba diving, a cliff diving site, and camping areas.
Additionally, the island hosts the Higatangan Island Summer Festival, an annual event that draws local and domestic visitors. In 2024, an international cruise ship made a port call, positioning Higatangan as a potential destination for cruise tourism in Eastern Visayas.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
