In a report carried by the major newspapers on 10 May 2010, it was revealed that NPC-SPUG will build new power facilities to totally energize six barangays in Batag Island, Laoang in Northern Samar. This undertaking forms part of NAPOCOR's off-grid electrification project under its SPUG operations, the report further stated.

       "This is part of our mandate and responsibility. The provision of electric service is one of the vital ingredients in nation building," Vice President for SPUG, Melburgo S. Chiu said in the interview. "With almost all of our power generation capacities in the Luzon and Visayas grids having been privatized, NAPOCOR will now concentrate in the electrification of far-flung islands and remote barangays under our SPUG mandate," he added.

       The report said that the project will specifically benefit barangays Cabadiangan, Marubay, Candawid, Pangdan, Napotiocan and Tan-Awan. The power facility is designed to house two diesel gensets with a total estimated cost of PhP 5.7 million. The project is expected to be completed by October 2010.

       Laoang is in the north-eastern tip of Northern Samar, 47 kilometers from the provincial capital of Catarman. It can be reached by land within 45 minutes to one hour on well-paved national road or through a five-minute pump-boat ride.

       "We are looking forward to the implementation of this project. This is part of the many planned over the next couple of years, as we in NAPOCOR focus our efforts in the small island and off-grid operations," Mr. Chiu said. After privatizing most of its assets, NAPOCOR, as mandated under the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001, will be left with the function of maintaining all the SPUG operations.