A consumer group is calling on President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. to urgently sign the much-anticipated House Bill (HB) 11072, which will expand the franchise area of Davao Light and Power Company in cities and municipalities of Davao del Norte and Davao de Oro.
In a statement, the Davao Consumer Movement stated that “the longer we wait, the longer the suffering of the consumers stretches on.”
The Senate Bill 2888/ House Bill 11072 reads: “Amending for the purpose Republic Act No. 11515, entitled “An Act extending for another 25 years the franchise granted to the Davao Light and Power Company, Inc.,” under Republic Act. 8960, entitled “An Act further extending the term of the franchise granted to Davao Light and Power Company, Inc., to construct, operate, and maintain an electric light, heat, and power system in Davao City, Panabo City and the municipalities of Carmen, Dujali and Santo Tomas, Province of Davao del Norte, for 25 years and other purposes.”
“We at the Davao Consumer Movement see that there is nothing else to wait for the bill to be signed into law. By signing it into law, the Marcos administration has the opportunity to uplift the lives of the people of Davao del Norte and Davao de Oro in the years to come,” the movement said.
The Davao Consumer Movement emphasized that electricity is crucial in the progress and development of the two provinces.
It also stressed that with an efficient and reliable power distributor, whose decades of reliable service and affordable rates are a testament, Davao del Norte and Davao de Oro can finally reach their full potential.
“Likewise, Davao Light has also publicized its recent achievements in its rural electrification where it has already provided electricity to all the 182 barangays in the city. Davao City’s electrification is now at 96% due to the efforts of the private distribution utility. Its lower power rates, reliable services, and advanced system and infrastructure will surely benefit the people of Davao del Norte and Davao de Oro once they hit the ground and get going,” it said.
Recently, Davao Light president and Chief Operating Officer Enriczar Tia said that the power utility company is willing to sit down with the officials of the Northern Davao Electric Cooperative, Inc. (NORDECO, Inc.) for a smooth transition once the bill that would expand the franchise of the Davao Light will be approved.
“On top of this, the people and local businesses in Davao del Norte and Davao de Oro cannot wait to experience a change in their power provider – something they have been wishing for years. We call on President Marcos: Do not keep us in the dark ages. We call on the President to bring us to a brighter future where we, the consumers, can enjoy reliable and affordable power. The time for action is now,” the movement said.
Meanwhile, Davao Del Norte First District Representative Pantaleon “Bebot” Alvarez recently expressed optimism that once House Bill 11072 becomes a law, it will have economic benefits that will redound in favor of the province.
“With this bill becoming law, investors will be encouraged to locate in the First District of Davao del Norte where the supply and distribution of electricity will be much more reliable, businesses will flourish. At dadami sigurado ang may trabaho dito sa probinsya. Maliwanag yan,” Alvarez said.
