DAVAO CITY — The Davao Light and Power Company distances itself from the Davao del Norte political leaders’ feud with the Northern Davao Electric Cooperative, a cooperative power distributor (Nordeco).
“It is unfortunate that we are dragged into the issue besetting Daneco (Davao del Norte Electric Cooperative) (Daneco, the old name of Nordeco), in many instances in the past, that the issue on performance and complaints are internal matter between the Daneco management and their local government leaders, the stakeholders,” Davao Light President Rodger Velasco said in a video message sent to Newsline.
Davao Light, according to Velasco, is not involved in Nordeco/Daneco operations because they trust “the wisdom and vision of the elected leaders because they have the mandate to guide their people for the economic advancement and development of the LGUs and to provide a good life to their constituents.”
“We are busy as we continue to provide world-class service and reasonable power prices to our users, and we will continue to listen to our LGU leaders, stakeholders, and customers,” says the DLPC. ” We don’t stop partnering since everyone has a role to play in advancing our franchises’ economies and maintaining a peaceful connection with the communities,” Velasco emphasized.
Earlier, Nordeco General Manager Mario Angelo Sotto dared the Davao Light to issue an official statement about their position on the local government officials’ move to circulate a petition among their constituents asking the House of Representatives to terminate Nordeco/franchise Daneco’s due to their poor performance and failure to provide satisfactory service to their consumers.
Sotto said that the petition against Nordeco was inspired by Davao Light.
“The consumers of Nordeco are dissatisfied with the energy services supplied by the same, whose performance is below par and did not achieve the standard minimum power required by law,” according to the appeal.
Mayors Al David T. Uy of Island Garden City of Samal, Allan L. Rellon of Tagum City, Maria Theresa R. Timbol of Kapalong, Jorjan B. Federiso of New Corella, Arnel H. Sitoy of San Isidro, and Jonie Libayao of Talaingod are among the signatories to the ongoing signature campaign led by Davao del Norte Governor Edwin Jubahib.
The mayors in said towns are under the Nordeco/Daneco Franchise while the Mayors of Panabo City, and the towns of Sto. Tomas, Dujali and Carmen are not included, as these areas have been under the franchise of Davao Light since 1976.
“We create our own power post since Nordeco cannot give one and for us to serve our constituents,” Rellon previously stated. We are manufacturing our own posts and are beginning to supply our own solar lights in some dimly lighted locations to deter crime. We are doing this because we have a responsibility to our people.”
According to Rellon, the city has incurred economic losses. “Because many major investors have turned away because Nordeco has failed to provide them with a reliable and sufficient power supply.”
Rellon believes that turning their back on Nordeco is the greatest approach to find a reliable electricity provider at a reduced price.
The development of Samal is impeded, as Uy previously stated, by Nordeco’s poor performance.
The mayor of Samal stated that they want to connect with Davao Light since Davao Light is only two kilometers away from Samal (only separated by the sea), but it already has an underwater cable that can be tapped at any time.
Uy has filed a lawsuit against the power cooperative, demanding transparency in Nordeco’s financial capability as a cooperative member and as the leader of his people, who, he claims, “have been denied of enjoying consistent and cheap power.”
“I am taking the cudgels of my people since they have been deprived of improved power service for the last five decades,” Jubahib remarked as the province’s father.
They’ve had enough of Nordeco’s promises, according to Jubahid: “Nordeco’s electricity supply should be concentrated on Davao de Oro only, and they should offer us the freedom to choose our own supplier.”
Worse, according to Jubahib, the power cooperative does not pay any taxes to the city of Tagum because it is registered in Davao de Oro and has its primary office there. Mayor Rellon agrees with the governor’s remarks.
“We lost so much equipment and appliances due of the inconsistent power supply; it is irregular, and we are paying huge bills,” April Kroel, an officer of the Samal Island Resort Owners Association, stated.
However, if Nordeco manager Sotto is allowed another three years, he has told political leaders and consumers that they will be able to offer the necessary supply.
Because the cooperative is under the National Electrification Administration, which is within the Office of the President, President Rodrigo Duterte appointed Sotto as General Manager in 2020.
Members are appealing with President Rodrigo Duterte to intervene and look into the people’s welfare because the leaders are at odds.-Editha Z. Caduaya
