TAGUM CITY – The Davao Consumer Movement (DCM) expresses serious concern over Davao Light’s announcement that electricity rates are expected to remain elevated in the coming months, warning that consumers can no longer be expected to shoulder repeated increases in their monthly power bills.
The nearly P2.00 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) increase in June, which pushed residential rates to P12.30/kWh from P10.35/kWh in May, has already placed significant financial pressure on households. The prospect of sustained high electricity rates is even more alarming as families continue to struggle with the rising cost of basic necessities.
While Davao Light attributes the increase to higher generation costs in the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM), consumers should not become the default shock absorbers whenever market prices spike or power plants experience outages. Managing supply risks and minimizing their impact on consumers is part of the responsibility that comes with operating an electric distribution utility.
The recent increase also places greater importance on the commitments Davao Light made during the deliberations on Republic Act 12144. The company assured Congress and the public that expanding its franchise would ultimately result in better service and more affordable electricity. Consumers now expect those commitments to be translated into concrete action.
At the same time, Davao Light must continue accelerating the modernization of its distribution system and the stabilization of service across its expanded franchise area. Consumers paying higher electricity bills deserve reliable, efficient, and responsive service. They also deserve greater transparency on the concrete measures being undertaken to moderate future rate increases and improve long-term price stability.
Davao consumers have shown patience throughout the transition to Davao Light’s expanded franchise. That patience should not be mistaken for an unlimited willingness to accept higher electricity costs.
The Davao Consumer Movement expects Davao Light to honor the commitments it made before Congress and the Filipino people.
If the company fails to deliver meaningful progress toward more affordable electricity and dependable service, DCM will not hesitate to publicly call out those shortcomings and hold Davao Light accountable. Consumers deserve more than promises; they deserve measurable results.
Ryan Amper
Convenor, Davao Consumer Movement
0905-5634083
