The province of Tawi-Tawi received another power boost in the last quarter of 2024. The National Power Corporation (NPC) inaugurated and energized the Tabawan Diesel Power Plant and distribution lines in Tabawan Island, South Ubian on October 5. This will initially provide electricity to 4 barangays on the remote island: Brgy. Pampang, Brgy. Bengkol, Brgy. Tang-ngah, and Brgy. Lambi-Lambian.
This development comes on the heels of Tawi-Tawi’s newest power plant, launched early this year.
Local government leaders Mayor Hadzri “Khaf” Matba of South Ubian, Mayor Rhodesia Matolo-Sali of Sapa-Sapa, and Governor Yshmael “Mang” Sali of Tawi-Tawi were in attendance at the ceremony, together with representatives from South Ubian’s Sangguiniang Bayan, officials from the NPC, and other local and provincial officials.
Worth Waiting For
Mayor Hadzri expressed his gratitude for the new power plant, emphasizing how this NPC initiative will improve the quality of life in South Ubian by bringing economic growth and new opportunities to its community. “lya bay angan-angan tam sambatan timpu kastila gi itiya’ na (The best things in life are worth waiting for),” he intimated.
The project involved energizing three 50-kilowatt (kW) modular generating sets and distribution lines. These much-needed items will make electricity accessible to around 250 households with a population of 12,583 (as of the 2020 Census).
For the Good of All
Governor Yshmael underscored the potential impact of this project not only for South Ubian but for the entire province of Tawi-Tawi. Currently, less than 45% of Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) households have electricity. However, the Tabawan Diesel Power Plant and similar projects are set to change these statistics.
This recent electrification of Tabawan Island’s barangays is a landmark achievement for the BARMM. It is a testament to NPC’s promise of providing dependable electricity to remote areas. And it illustrates that conventional energy sources still have a role to play in the country’s transition to an energy-secure future.
