Davao City 2nd District Councilor Louie John Bonguyan shared that 99% of the city’s sitios now have electricity and improved access to power.
At the Aprubado sa Konseho meeting on Tuesday, March 25, the chairperson of the energy and water committee credited the high success rate to the city government’s ongoing efforts to electrify remote sitios.
“Padayon gihapon mi in coordination with Davao Light sa Sitio Electrification Program where ang barangay, ginahinay-hinay na ug energize up to their sitio-level,” Bonguyan said.
(“We are still continuing in coordination with Davao Light for the Sitio Electrification Program where the barangay is gradually being energized up to the sitio level.”)
The Sitio Electrification Program is a project by the Department of Energy (DOE), in collaboration with the National Electrification Administration (NEA), aiming for 100% electrification nationwide. It is one of the government’s key economic growth and poverty reduction programs.
(Also read: Davao Light powers 182 barangays in Davao City)
Davao Light President and COO Enriczar Tia shared that nearly all of the city’s barangays now have electricity. However, work is still ongoing to power the remaining off-grid villages.
In January, Davao Light provided electricity to Sitio Kiman-anao in Barangay Salapawan, Paquibato District.
However, Bonguyan highlighted that the distance to some sitios remains challenging for the program. For example, Barangay Tapak in the second district is two to three hours away from the city center. According to Bonguyan, Barangay Tapak is the only barangay in District 2 that still doesn’t have an electric connection.
(Also read: Students In Nine Sitios Of Barangay Lumiad Can Now Study Well Thanks To Electrification)
“We are just waiting for the completion of the road construction to Tapak before Davao Light can proceed,” the councilor said.
Bonguyan said that electric posts had already been installed for the electrification project in the barangay, but these were taken down during the road-widening work.
The councilor emphasized that the success of the electrification program relies on the completion of road projects by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), which will determine the final areas for electric posts.
Once Tapak is energized, Bonguyan said all barangays in the city will reach 100% electrification.
Sources:
https://mindanaotimes.com.ph/councilor-99-of-city-barangays-energized/
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/15J8ucoakm/
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/100-brgy-electrification-eyed-across-davao-city
