TACLOBAN CITY — The ongoing electrification project for Higatangan Island in Naval, Biliran through a submarine power cable is expected to spur economic growth and boost tourism on the island, Mayor Gretchen Espina said.
The Higatangan Island Submarine Cable Project, spearheaded by the Biliran Electric Cooperative (BILECO), will provide residents in the island’s two barangays with 24-hour uninterrupted electricity once completed.
Funded by the Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Electrification Administration (NEA), the P117.7-million project involves laying a four-kilometer submarine cable linking Barangay Jubay in Calubian, Leyte, to Barangay Mabini in Higatangan.
Mayor Espina welcomed the development, emphasizing that stable electricity will not only improve living conditions but also attract investors and tourists to the island, which was declared a special tourism development area under Republic Act 10409 or the Tourism Development Area Act.
“Tourism-wise and economically, this is a huge help. Our people in Higatangan will no longer struggle when putting up businesses or addressing household needs,” Espina said.
Currently, Higatangan residents rely on a diesel generator that supplies power for only eight hours daily, from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. This limited power supply has long been a barrier to economic development, discouraging businesses and reducing the island’s competitiveness as a tourism destination.
“This is a big factor. How can you put up a business if electricity is limited? Investors need to spend on generators, which is costly. With continuous power, development in Higatangan will finally accelerate,” the mayor added.
Higatangan is renowned for its 200-meter shifting sandbar that changes direction with the season, attracting local and domestic tourists, particularly during the annual Higatangan Island Summer Festival (HisFest). The island also features the Capilla del Mar, an underwater chapel with a 12-foot cross and benches symbolizing Biliran’s eight towns.
In 2024, Higatangan was added to the growing list of cruise tourism destinations in Eastern Visayas, further highlighting its potential as a premier tourism hub in the region.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
