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DAVAO Consumer Movement

Opinion

Davao consumers demand relief from rising electricity costs

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written by Contributor

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

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Opinion

Consumers urge Davao Light to strengthen grid reliability amid Davao del Norte expansion

by Contributor
written by Contributor

CONSUMERS are calling on Davao Light to strengthen the reliability of its power distribution system following the issuance of a Supplemental Writ of Possession granting the company operational control over distribution assets previously managed by Nordeco in parts of Davao del Norte.

The Regional Trial Court Branch 2 in Tagum City issued the Supplemental Writ of Possession on May 15, 2026, granting Davao Light the lawful right to possess and operate distribution assets covered under Republic Act No. 12144.

With the order, Davao Light now has full operational control in Tagum City and the municipalities of Asuncion, San Isidro, Kapalong, Talaingod, and New Corella. Some barangays in the Island Garden City of Samal (IGACOS) remain under NORDECO operations pending the possible issuance of another writ covering the remaining areas.

The court order allows Davao Light to fully implement its expansion and rehabilitation plans in Davao del Norte, including efforts aimed at improving the reliability and stability of power service in the province.

However, the Davao Consumer Movement emphasized that expansion must be matched with stronger operational performance and improved grid reliability across both its new and existing franchise areas.

Consumers in several parts of Davao Light’s current coverage area continue to report recurring and prolonged power outages. While we acknowledge Davao Light’s efforts to maintain transparency through public advisories and consumer engagement, these concerns show that stronger technical and operational improvements are still needed.

As Davao Light upgrades infrastructure in its expanded franchise area, it must also ensure that reliability concerns within its existing coverage area are not neglected.

With greater franchise coverage comes greater responsibility. Consumers expect that Davao Light’s expansion will not only result in wider service coverage but also in a more stable, reliable, and responsive power distribution system for all affected communities. 

Ryan Amper
Convenor
Davao Consumer Movement
0905-5634083

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Opinion

Consumers call for immediate, concrete action to lower power rates

by Contributor
written by Contributor

THE DAVAO Consumer Movement calls for immediate and concrete action to lower electricity rates, as consumers continue to bear the weight of rising power costs on top of an already high cost of living.

We welcome the ongoing efforts of lawmakers to review the imposition of the value-added tax (VAT) and other charges on electricity. 

Recent discussions in the Senate’s Proactive Response and Oversight for Timely and Effective Crisis Strategy (PROTECT) Committee — including proposals raised by Senator Sherwin Gatchalian to review not only VAT but also franchise, local franchise, and energy taxes, as well as the call of Senator Rodante Marcoleta to remove the 12% VAT — reflect a growing recognition that government-imposed charges have contributed to high electricity bills. We also note the support expressed by Sharon Garin for measures aimed at reducing electricity prices, including studying the removal or reduction of VAT on power.

These are important steps, but they must now lead to decisive results.

One that we see must be prioritized is the removal of the 12% VAT on electricity. At a time when families are forced to stretch limited incomes and small enterprises struggle to stay afloat, removing this tax can provide immediate and meaningful relief.

However, the burden on consumers goes beyond VAT. We call on lawmakers and energy regulators to conduct a full and transparent review of all pass-through charges embedded in electricity bills. These include the universal charge, FIT-All, GEA-All, lifeline subsidies, and obligations related to NPC debts, among others. Consumers must not be made to shoulder costs that are not directly tied to the actual delivery of electricity to their homes.

We also support the call of Sen. Marcoleta to stop passing on to consumers non-technical system losses, which include electricity theft and administrative inefficiencies. These are costs that consumers did not create and should not be forced to pay, especially when they are further compounded by taxes.

Every day, consumers are forced to make difficult choices just to keep up with basic expenses. High electricity rates are not an abstract issue; they directly affect food on the table, the viability of small businesses, and the overall quality of life of our communities. 

We urge lawmakers to move beyond deliberations. We call on them to swiftly enact measures to remove VAT on electricity, initiate a comprehensive review of all charges passed on to consumers, and ensure that inefficiencies within the system are no longer borne by the public. 

Ryan Amper
Convenor
Davao Consumer Movement
0905-5634083 

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Opinion

Davao Light’s rate increase burdens consumers

by Contributor
written by Contributor

TAGUM CITY – The Davao Consumer Movement (DCM) raises serious concerns over the recent increase in power rates imposed by Davao Light, following its expansion into Davao del Norte and Davao de Oro.

In January 2026, Davao Light raised its rates by P2/kWh, bringing the cost to P11.72/kWh from P9.71/kWh in December 2025. For an average household consuming 200 kWh monthly, this translates to an additional P400 on their electric bill, a burden felt directly by families already struggling with rising costs of living.

Davao Light explained that the increase was due to higher supply prices from the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM), citing several power plant outages that drove market prices upward. The company also pointed to the implementation of the new government charge, the Green Energy Auction Allowance (GEA-All) under ERC Case No. 2025-127 RC, as another factor.

While these reasons may account for part of the increase, they do not paint the full picture. Consumers are left questioning whether the billions being spent on Davao Light’s expansion projects in Davao del Norte and Davao de Oro are also contributing to the higher rates. The lack of clarity and transparency in the company’s explanation is deeply troubling.

For years, Davao Light has been recognized for offering some of the lowest rates in the country. This sudden and steep increase has come as a shock to many households, undermining trust and raising doubts about the company’s commitment to affordability. During congressional and senate hearings for Republic Act 12144, Davao Light promised to keep rates low despite its expansion. Today, that promise appears to be slipping away.

Consumers deserve honesty and accountability. At a time when families are already overburdened by rising expenses, power rates should not become another source of anxiety. Davao Light must be more transparent about the true reasons behind this increase and mindful of the impact on the communities it serves.

The Davao Consumer Movement will continue to monitor this issue closely. We stand with consumers in demanding fairness, transparency, and the fulfillment of promises made. 

Ryan Amper
Convenor
Davao Consumer Movement
0905-5634083

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Opinion

FROM THE MAIL | Consumers urge gov’t to look into increasing residential rates

by Contributor
written by Contributor

TAGUM CITY – The Davao Consumer Movement is urging the national government to look into the country’s power system after residential rates in Davao Region hit more than P10/kWh for September.

Davao Light announced that it will increase the residential rate by P1.5625/kWh. Its residential rate is now at P10.6407/kWh from P9.0782/kWh in August.

Davao Light said the increase “is attributed to higher power supply prices in the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) following power plant outages, which is among the factors that led to the yellow alerts issued by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) last month.”

The Davao del Sur Electric Cooperative (DASURECO) announced an increase of P1.0794/kWh, bringing their residential rate to P11.3187/kWh from P10.2392/kWh.

DASURECO also said that aside from the WESM, the power rates this month are also due to “the approval of the NGCP’s Maximum Allowable Revenue (MAR) and the collection of Under-Recovery 2016-2022 by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), which is a pass-through charge that will also be reflected on consumer bills.”

The Davao Oriental Electric Cooperative (DORECO) announced that their residential rates will increase by P0.9858/kWh, the lowest in terms of increase for this month. Residential rate in their franchise area is now at P12.7382/kWh from P11.7524/kWh.

Meanwhile, based on the information gathered on the ground, the Northern Davao Electric Cooperative (NORDECO) will increase its rates by almost P2. Residential rate in its franchise area is now at P14.2651/kWh from P12.3583/kWh, an increase of P1.9068/kWh. NORDECO remains the most expensive residential rate in the Davao Region.

Following the increase, the Davao Consumer Movement is calling on the national government to review the current rates, especially the rates being passed on to the consumers – those coming from the WESM and NGCP.

Likewise, our power distributors must review and make smarter decisions in where they source their power from to ensure balance in their supply mix and prices are properly managed.

As prices hit more than P10 across the region, this becomes another burden for consumers here. Not only does this increase the electric bills that they are paying, but this could also increase the prices of goods and services in the long run.

The Davao Consumer Movement reiterates that transparency, accountability, and proactive regulation must be at the heart of our energy system. We call on the Energy Regulatory Commission, the Department of Energy, and our legislators to urgently address the compounding factors behind these rate hikes and ensure that consumers are not left to bear the brunt of systemic inefficiencies.

Electricity is a basic need – its pricing must reflect fairness, stability, and public interest.

Ryan Amper
Convenor
Davao Consumer Movement
0905-5634083

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Opinion

FROM THE MAIL | Consumers welcome groundbreaking of the Davao Light site, but demand faster and bolder action.

by Contributor
written by Contributor

THE DAVAO Consumer Movement vows to keep Davao Light accountable and ensure they honor their promises.

The Davao Consumer Movement welcomes a new milestone, the groundbreaking of Davao Light’s Davao del Norte site – a long-overdue step towards more affordable and reliable power for the province. 

This marks the beginning of what should be a better energy future for Davao del Norte: one that ends years of overpriced electricity, substandard service, and never-ending power interruptions. The passage of Republic Act (RA) 12144, which expands Davao Light’s franchise to the rest of Davao del Norte and Davao de Oro, was a hard-fought win by and for the people. Today’s ceremony must signal not just symbolic progress, but real, tangible change. 

But let’s be clear, a groundbreaking is just that — a start. We expect more from Davao Light. We did not fight for years for a photo-op. We hope this is not the finish line of their commitment, but the starting point of a full-scale delivery on their promises. Every day of delay is another day of costly, unnecessary suffering of the people. 

As consumers, we will remain vigilant. We supported Davao Light because we believed they could be better. Now, they must prove it. We will hold them to account on the mandates of RA 12144:

  1. Conduct a Competitive Selection Process to ensure affordable power rates;
  2. Prioritize the hiring of qualified former NORDECO employees to ensure a just transition; 
  3. Transparency and open communication with consumers. 

We are watching NORDECO and the relevant government agencies. Under the law, NORDECO is mandated to fully cooperate with the transition. No more stalling, no more excuses. The public is tired of paying the price for institutional inaction. 

The groundbreaking is a welcome step, but the real work begins now. The people of Davao del Norte deserve more than just empty ceremonies. We demand better power, and we will not settle for anything less. 

For the people. For progress. For power that puts the public first.

====== For more details:

Ryan Amper
Convenor
Davao Consumer Movement
0905-5634083

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