Executives from Davao Light and Power Co., Inc. and Damosa Land Inc., together with local officials, have officially broken ground for the new San Pedro digital substation. The ceremony took place inside the Anflo Industrial Estate (AIE) in Barangay San Pedro, Panabo City, on November 20, 2025.
Powering Panabo's Industrial Growth
This major power project is a direct response to the city's rapidly expanding industrial and commercial activity. The 43-MVA San Pedro 69/13.8kV substation will become Davao Light's 29th distribution substation. Its primary role is to serve the 63-hectare Anflo Industrial Estate, a Special Economic Zone, and the surrounding communities in Panabo City.
The utility company emphasized that the new facility is critical for meeting the rising electricity demand as more companies establish operations in the region. The substation is scheduled to be operational by June 2026, starting with an initial capacity of 10 MVA. The remaining 33 MVA will be added, bringing the substation to its full 43-MVA capacity by 2027.
Features of the Digital Substation
As a fully digital facility, the San Pedro substation will utilize advanced automated monitoring and control systems. These systems capture and transmit real-time data directly to Davao Light's technical teams, enabling faster troubleshooting and more efficient power distribution across the entire city.
The project also incorporates several sustainability features. The design includes a rainwater harvesting system and will be partially powered by solar energy. According to Davao Light President and COO Enriczar T. Tia, the digital nature of the substation also brings environmental benefits. "We do away with several kilometers of copper wiring and replace it with communication cables," Tia explained.
Economic and Community Impact
For businesses, reliable and affordable power is a decisive factor. Damosa Land Inc. President Ricardo "Cary" Floirendo Lagdameo stated that consistent, cost-efficient electricity has long been a key advantage in attracting investors to the Davao Region.
"Reliable and affordable power is very critical, and it’s a major reason many of our locators chose the Davao Region," Lagdameo said. He highlighted that the new substation will be vital for agro-industrial companies that depend heavily on energy for processing, helping them lower production costs and create more competitive products.
The benefits extend beyond the industrial estate. Enriczar Tia provided a perspective on the project's scale, noting that one MVA can serve approximately 10,000 households. With a total capacity of 43 MVA, the substation has the potential to support the power needs of over 100,000 households, making it sufficient for the entire Panabo area.
This new infrastructure represents a significant step in ensuring a scalable and reliable power supply, supporting both current industries and future growth in Panabo City and the wider Davao del Norte province.
