Davao Del Norte Representative Pantaleon “Bebot” Alvarez is optimistic that once House Bill 11072, which sought to expand Davao Light’s franchise in the province, becomes into law, will have economic benefits that will redound in favor of the province.
In a press conference on Friday, the former Speaker said more investors will be attracted to locate in Davao del Norte because of reliable power supply.
“With this bill becoming into a 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.
Alvarez re-filed the Davao Light Franchise Bill last September 21, 2022, and thereafter, House Bill 11072 was passed at the House of Representatives and was thereafter transmitted to the Senate.
Among the provisions of HB No. 11072 include the expansion of Davao Light’s coverage to include Tagum City, the Island Garden City of Samal, and the towns of Asuncion, Kapalong, New Corella, San Isidro and Talaingod in Davao del Norte as well as Maco in Davao de Oro.
The said areas are currently under the Northern Davao Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Nordeco).
On February 4, 2025, the Senate had amendments to the bill which the HoR agreed to wherein in its current form, the bill sought to expand the franchise area of Davao Light shall now include the following areas: Davao City, Panabo City, Tagum City, Island Garden City of Samal, and the municipalities of Carmen, Dujali, Santo Tomas, Asuncion, Kapalong, New Corella, San Isidro, Talaingod, Compostela, Laak, Mabini, Maco, Maragusan, Mawab, Monkayo, Montevista, Nabunturan, New Bataan, and Pantukan.
“This means that the bill shall then be enrolled, signed by the leadership of Congress, and submitted to the President for signature,” Alvarez said.
In July 2022, the previous 18th Congress passed the same bill, while it succeeded in both the Senate and the HoR, the bill was vetoed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Alvarez is hopeful that this time the President will not veto the bill.
Last month, Nordeco appealed through a letter sent to the President to veto the bill that would allow the Davao Light to extend its franchise into areas in the Davao Region after the Senate recently approved the bill on the third and final reading.
“Umaasa po kami ngayon na sana mabigyan ng tamang gabay si Pangulong Marcos na magdesisyon ng tama at huwag na niyang i-veto. Isipin naman niya ang kalagayan ng taong bayan at hindi lang yung kooperatiba na napatunayang hindi kaya solusyunan ang brownout at mahal na singil ng kuryente sa amin,” he said.
Alvarez bared that it has been a long-time problem of the people of Davao del Norte with expensive and unreliable electricity in the province and with the passage of the bill, affordable and reliable electricity supply will be possible for the entire Davao del Norte.
“Lahat talaga apektado. Yung mga negosyo nalulugi, kasi ang mahal ng singil, puro power interruption pa. Kaya hindi sila umaasenso. Yung mga ospital, biruin mo, pano ka mag-oopera eh biglang mawawalan ng kuryente? May mga namatay na dahil sa brownout na yan. At yung mga bata, pano makakapag-aral kung maya’t maya mawawalan na naman ng ilaw at mamamatay ang electric fan? Hindi talaga tama ang nangyayari. Maling-mali,” he said.
