A consumer group in Davao on Sunday slammed the suspension order issued against Davao del Norte Gov. Edwin Jubahib, saying that Davaeños should be spared from “what is clearly a local spat between politicians.”
“This spat between politicians is weighing down on the people of Davao del Norte as they continue to suffer under the extremely poor and below-average power service and high power rates of the Northern Davao Electric Cooperative (NORDECO),” the Davao Consumer Movement said in a statement
Malacanang issued a 30-day suspension order on Jubahib, in addition to a previous 60-day suspension order, following findings that the Davao del Norte governor used government resources to support rallies against NORDECO.
Jubahib is well known in the region as a staunch anti-NORDECO advocate, given his repeated calls for a new company to step in and replace NORDECO.
The NORDECO has been the primary provider of power in areas where Jubahib has jurisdiction.
“Ironically, the Governor’s suspension was born out of his support for House BIll 6740, which the Davao Consumer Movement also supports,” the group noted.
“We are one with the Governor and the main authors of HB 6740 – PBA party-list Rep. Margarita Nograles, and Rep. Sandro Marcos – in pushing for cheaper and better electricity services for Davao del Norte and Davao de Oro,” the group said.
The consumer group added that suspending Jubahib “does not put the Davao region one step closer towards resolving its power issues.”
“Suspending a leader who has been supporting for the better good of his constituents is barring the people of Davao del Norte from experiencing better power services,” the group said.
“With the rate they are going, the dark days for the people of Davao del Norte continue as those who are in power continue to struggle over control,” the statement read.
