Davao Oriental business chamber urges entry of Davao Light to address power crisis

The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry–Davao Oriental (PCCI-Davao Oriental) is calling on the Philippine Senate and House of Representatives to extend the legislative franchise of Davao Light and Power Company, Inc. to Mati City and other municipalities currently served by the Davao Oriental Electric Cooperative Inc. (Doreco).

In Board Resolution No. 004, Series of 2026, the chamber cited persistent electricity supply issues, including frequent brownouts, unannounced interruptions, and voltage fluctuations, as significant threats to the province’s economic activity and residents' quality of life. These disruptions impact various sectors, including tourism, agriculture, small businesses, and households.

The move follows a request from Davao Oriental Governor Nelson L. Dayanghirang Sr. for business sector support regarding provincial power stability. While the chamber advocates for a change in distribution, observers note that any franchise expansion must be evaluated based on its ability to provide reliable, affordable, and safe electricity rather than just changing the utility operator.