We are the people of Davao del Norte and we are sick and tired of the poor services of Davao del Norte Electric Cooperative (Daneco). While our neighbors in Davao City, Panabo City, Carmen, and the municipality of Sto. Tomas enjoy almost uninterrupted power supply and very good services the rest of us suffer under the hands of Daneco. Our suffering has never been more clear than in this time of COVID-19. 

These are the reasons we want to get out of Daneco:

1. As of February Daneco customers are paying P10.25 / kwh while Davao Light customers are paying only P8.75 / kwh.
2. Daneco claims to be a “cooperative” but we have never enjoyed profit-sharing, dividends, or other benefits as members of the electric cooperative.
3. Daneco always has brownouts and low voltage that result in damage to our appliances and machinery.
4. In order for our businesses to continue, many of us need to buy generator sets to avoid brownouts. This is unnecessary and an additional cost to us.
5. Requests for connection, repairs, and fixing lines takes a long time and we often have to pay under the table to Daneco employees. Corruption is rampant.
6. The equipment and facilities of Davao Light are modern, while Daneco facilities are old and outdated. 
7. How can we attract investors if our price of power is very expensive? We need our economy to grow so there will be progress.

DANECO now calls itself Northern Davao Electric Cooperative (NORDECO), but a mere change in name cannot improve our situation. It is time for our government officials to rethink its almost 50-year relationship with this utility company and look elsewhere for the province’s power needs.

We call on our government officials to act on this matter. Let the whole Davao del Norte join Panabo, Carmen, and Sto. Tomas in going under Davao Light so we can finally taste better service.