Over sixty households in the four sitios of Barangay Magsaysay, Carmen, Davao del Norte are now completely energized as part of the Sitio Electrification Program (SEP) of the AboitizPower subsidiary, Davao Light and Power Co., Inc. (Davao Light), the Local Government Unit of Carmen, and the Department of Energy – Region XI.
“We thank Davao Light and the Department of Energy because there won’t be much progress [in Carmen] without electricity. Every business – whether industrial or small – needs electricity,” Jerry Nalupa of the local government of Carmen said in his speech during the switch-on ceremony conducted at the barangay hall last May 3, 2023.
A resident and also the Head of Barangay Peace and Order, Benedicto Nalzaro, said that the electrification program helped the residents feel safer in their homes and community, “Most of the residents in Barangay Magsaysay work in big companies, banana plantations, and farms, and there is really a big difference now that the streets are well-lighted. Residents feel more at ease when going to and from work.”
Nalzaro also added that the energization of their barangay addressed the technological gap among their students, especially on the use of gadgets and the internet. “Before, students would need to go to the library or to an internet shop in the energized parts of the municipality if they needed to research their assignments. Now, they can use their cellphones and connect to the internet at home,” Nalzaro said.
“We are really happy that we now have electricity. We feel more at ease in our homes because it’s well-lighted. There are also fewer power interruptions and Davao Light is very responsive to our requests. The residents of Barangay Magsaysay – both young and old – are very happy to have electricity here,” Nalzaro expressed his gratitude to the power utility.
Salvador Coco, the Barangay Captain of Magsaysay thanked the LGU and Davao Light for letting the government’s program reach their sitios: Puroks 4A, 4B, 4B – Area 2.
“Thanks to the support of the LGU of Carmen, we were able to fast-track the Sitio Electrification Project to three months. That’s how fast electrification is now,” Engr. Jerome Ryan Deleonio, Head of the Distribution Services Department of Davao Light said in his speech.
Davao Light has energized sitios since 2018 and has also conducted public safety campaigns such as electrical safety and conservation tips, including the dos and don’ts to avoid fire accidents.
Davao Light continues to empower the communities it serves through SEP and other electrification projects.
