JORDAN, Guimaras – The Guimaras Electric Cooperative (GUIMELCO) successfully energized its 15kV submarine cable interconnection, officially linking the mainland of Guimaras to the island barangays of Panobolon and Guiwanon in the Municipality of Nueva Valencia. The ceremonial energization was held in Barangay Panobolon on Thursday, May 8.
The Panobolon-Guiwanon Interconnection Project was funded by the national government through the 2023 General Appropriations Act (GAA) under the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Locally Funded Project – Total Electrification Program (TEP), in partnership with the National Electrification Administration (NEA) through its Barangay Line Enhancement Program (BLEP).
“Let this energization ceremony remind us all that even the most remote islands deserve development,” said GUIMELCO General Manager Shirley S. Laurente during her opening remarks.
The milestone event was graced by key officials from the Province of Guimaras and the Municipality of Nueva Valencia, along with representatives from GUIMELCO’s partner government agencies.
For centuries, Barangay Panobolon had no access to grid electricity and relied solely on limited solar-powered systems. Barangay Guiwanon, on the other hand, was previously served by the National Power Corporation (NAPOCOR) through its Small Power Utilities Group (SPUG), operating a diesel generator that provided power only from 4 p.m. to 12 midnight.
With the completion of this project, both barangays now enjoy 24/7 access to reliable electric service, marking a transformative milestone for these communities.
Guimaras Lone District’s Rep. Ma. Lucille L. Nava acknowledged the challenges faced in lobbying for the project’s inclusion in the DOE’s Total Electrification Program, emphasizing the importance of persistence and collaboration in achieving this goal.
Initiated as part of GUIMELCO’s long-term electrification roadmap, the project began to take concrete shape in 2018 when a joint ocular inspection was conducted in coordination with the Provincial Government of Guimaras. A comprehensive feasibility study was then developed by GUIMELCO’s Technical Working Group and submitted to NEA and DOE for evaluation and approval.
Gov. JC Rahman Nava underscored that the project’s success was made possible through the cooperation and collaboration of all stakeholders, from national agencies to local communities.
Government agencies such as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Guimaras, Philippine Coast Guard – Guimaras, and the barangay councils of Panobolon, Guiwanon, and Cabalagnan played crucial roles in facilitating the project’s implementation.
Barangay Cabalagnan serves as the starting point for the interconnection, with approximately 1.2 kilometers of submarine cable extending to Sitio Yato in Panobolon, followed by an overhead distribution line across the islet, and an additional one-kilometer submarine cable connecting Panobolon to Guiwanon.
The project also entailed the upgrading of overhead lines to primary tree wire from Barangay Concordia to Cabalagnan as part of GUIMELCO’s maintenance plan aimed at reducing unscheduled power interruptions.
This electrification initiative marks a significant step toward inclusive development and a brighter future for the island communities of Guimaras./PN
