Vivant Corporation is deepening its presence in off-grid and underserved island communities as it sees stronger growth opportunities in SPUG areas and provincial economies.

The company said these areas continue to need major investments in power and water infrastructure, with Vivant looking to eventually replicate its Bantayan utility model in other island communities.

Vivant Corporation Chief Executive Officer Arlo A.G. Sarmiento said the company remains focused on its SPUG business, which he described as one of the faster-growing parts of Vivant’s portfolio due to rising economic activity in provincial and island communities. He added that these areas are growing faster than Metro Manila and Cebu, driving the company’s continued investments in generation and distribution infrastructure.

SPUG areas, or Small Power Utilities Group communities, are typically remote islands and off-grid locations not connected to the main transmission system. Many still face unreliable electricity supply, aging diesel facilities, and limited access to clean water infrastructure.

Vivant recently strengthened its footprint in Bantayan Island through the acquisition of Bantayan Resource Management and Development Corp., the municipality’s sole water provider serving more than 4,000 households. The acquisition was completed through subsidiary Vivant Transcore Holdings, Inc.

The move expanded Vivant’s role on the island, where it already operates the sole electricity provider through Isla Norte Power Corp.

“With the addition of water distribution, Vivant now completes the utility circle in Bantayan — integrating reliable energy and clean water to support households, businesses, and the island’s continued growth,” the company said in an earlier statement.

Asked whether Vivant plans to replicate the Bantayan model elsewhere, Sarmiento said the company remains open to expanding integrated utility operations in other island communities.

“The quick answer to that is yes,” he said. “These islands need more than just power. They need all sorts of infrastructure. And we’re already in the water space, so if we can do the same in other islands, we’d be happy to — as long as it makes business sense.”

Atty. Jess Anthony N. Garcia, President of Vivant Water, said the acquisition reflects the company’s broader effort to bring essential services to underserved communities. He noted that many SPUG areas face overlapping energy and water challenges, and that the company intends to replicate the Bantayan model wherever it is needed or invited.

Atty. Garcia cited existing Vivant facilities in Puerto Princesa — where the company also operates a wastewater treatment plant — and in Coron as examples of communities where integrated solutions are already being explored. He added that the company is also looking at water opportunities in mainland Cebu, which, while connected to the main grid, still faces its own water challenges.

Garcia said many SPUG communities face overlapping energy and water issues, creating opportunities for integrated infrastructure development.

Vivant Corp. earlier disclosed plans to allocate PHP 67 billion in capital expenditures, with around 80% intended for renewable energy developments. Vivant said it is targeting between 10 and 15 projects as part of its long-term growth pipeline.

Vivant Energy President Emil Andre M. Garcia said the company remains cautiously optimistic on long-term power demand despite inflation, slower GDP growth, and foreign exchange pressures.

“Power is such a commodity — a commodity that the country really needs,” Garcia said. “Not just to sustain our growth, but also to cushion ourselves from price volatilities that come with being fully dependent on imported fuel. A lot of our plants are also aging. We still need more investments in the power sector to sustain this growth.”

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