FORMER speaker and current Davao del Norte 1st District Rep. Pantaleon “Bebot” Alvarez said affordable nd reliable electricity for Davao del Norte is no longer a dream as he refiled the Davao Light Franchise Bill.
The Bill seeks to expand the franchise area of Davao Light and Power Company in Davao Region. House Bill 11072 passed on third reading at the House of Representatives and was transmitted to the Senate thereafter.
The Senate introduced amendments to the Bill, which the House of Representatives agreed to on Feb. 4, 2025. In its current form, the Bill will expand the franchise area of Davao Light which shall now include the following areas:
- Davao City
- Panabo City, Davao del Norte
- Tagum City, Davao del Norte
- Island Garden City of Samal, Davao del Norte
- Carmen, Davao del Norte
- Dujali, Davao del Norte
- Santo Tomas, Davao del Norte
- Asuncion, Davao del Norte
- Kapalong, Davao del Norte
- New Corella, Davao del Norte
- San Isidro, Davao del Norte
- Talaingod, Davao del Norte
- Compostela, Davao de Oro
- Laak, Davao de Oro
- Mabini, Davao de Oro
- Maco, Davao de Oro
- Maragusan, Davao de Oro
- Mawab, Davao de Oro
- Monkayo, Davao de Oro
- Montevista, Davao de Oro
- Nabunturan, Davao de Oro
- New Bataan, Davao de Oro
- Pantukan, Davao de Oro
This means that the bill shall then be enrolled, signed by the leadership of Congress, and submitted to the President for signature.
Alvarez, a veteran lawmaker, commented: “Masaya ako para sa probinsya kasi matagal na naming problema ang mahal at hindi maaasahang kuryente sa lugar namin. Dahil sa pagpasa ng panukalang batas na ito, magiging possible na ang abot kaya at maaasahang supply ng kuryente para sa buong Davao del Norte. Maliwanag yan (I’m happy for the province because expensive and unstable power have been a perennial problem in our area. Because of this proposed bill, having a stable supply of power for Davao del Norte has become possible. That’s very clear),”
He said there was a previous attempt during the previous 18th Congress to pass the Davao Light Franchise Bill. While it succeeded in both the Senate and the House of Representatives, the Bill was vetoed by the President.
“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 (We hope President Marcos would be given proper guidance to decide appropriately and not veto the bill. We wish he would also think about the difficult situation of the people and not only about the cooperative that’s proven to be ineffective in solving brownouts and expensive power costs),” he added.
When asked about the impact of expensive and unreliable electricity, Alvarez said everyone is affected, especially businesses that are feeling the heavy burden of high electricity costs and persistent power interruptions.
“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 makakapagaral kung maya’t-maya mawawalan na naman ng ilaw at mamamatay ang electric fan? Hindi talaga tama ang nangyayari. Maling-mali (Like in hospitals, how can they operate when the power suddenly goes out? People have already died because of brownouts. And the kids, how can they study when there’s light and the electric fan every now and then? What’s happening now is very wrong),” he said.
Alvarez was also asked why he re-filed the Davao Light Franchise Bill, and he said that it’s his duty as a congressman to find a way and legislate a solution to his province’s problems.
Ang kapangyarihan gumawa ng batas, legislative po iyan. Ngayon, may nabalitaan ako na yung gobernador daw dito, pinagyayabang na siya daw ang gumawa nung panukalang batas para maayos yung problema sa supply ng kuryente dito sa amin. Parang mali naman ata yun. Paano gagawa ng panukalang batas ang gobernador, eh trabaho yan ng Congressman (Crafting laws is a legislative power. Now, I’ve heard that the governor here claimed he crafted the law to solve the power supply here in our area. But it seems inaccurate. How can a governor make laws when it’s the congressman’s domain)?,” he said.
“Dagdag pa natin, nag refile tayo ng Davao Light Franchise Bill kasi matigas ang ulo ko. Basta para sa tao, ipaglalaban natin yan. Kawawa ang probinsya kapag hindi maituwid yung mga problema pagdating sa kuryente. At ito na yung solusyon (Additionally, we refiled the Davao Light and Franchise Bill because I’m stubborn. As long as it’s for the people, we will fight for it. The province will be put at a disadvantage if we won’t right this wrong when it comes to electricity. This is the solution),” he added.
He said there’s a new player that will come in to supply and distribute electricity, so consumers now have options over which one to choose. Conversely, competition will also drive utility companies to bring the best service possible. “Wag natin pilitin yung mga tao na magtiis dun sa hindi naman kayang gawin ang trabaho (Let’s not force the people to suffer with someone who can’t do the job right).”
Finally, he said the Davao Light Franchise Bill will encourage businesses to flourish, and the stable supply of electricity would attract more investors. “And more jobs will surely be generated here in the province. That’s clear,” he added.
