Bill sa expansion ng franchise area ng Davao Light and Power, ibinasura ni P-BBM

ni Lolet Abania | July 28, 2022

Ibinasura o nai-veto na ni Pangulong Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. ang isang proposed measure na layong palawakin ang franchise area ng Davao Light and Power Company, Inc.

Ito ang kinumpirma ni Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles sa mga reporters ngayong Huwebes, na-vetoed ang bill na aniya, “due to, among others, its susceptibility to infringe on the franchise coverage area of the North Davao Electric Cooperative.”

Nakasaad sa veto message ni Pangulong Marcos:

"While I recognize the prerogative of the Honorable Members of Congress and the laudable intent of the bill to further improve and develop access to electricity within the captive market of the expanded franchise area, I am constrained to veto the bill due to the susceptibility of the proposed expansion of the franchise area of Davao Light and Power Company, Inc., to legal and/or to constitutional challenge due to the apparent overlap and possible infringement into the subsisting franchise, permits, and contracts previously granted to North Davao Electric Cooperative Inc."

Ayon sa Pangulo, may existing na mga franchises ang North Davao Electric Cooperative Inc. sa expanded franchise area kung saan aniya, magpapatuloy hanggang 2028 at hanggang 2033.

"The bill runs counter to the provisions of Section 27 of Republic Act No. 9136 or the EPIRA, mandating that all existing franchises shall be allowed to their full term," pahayag ng Chief Executive.

Gayundin, ayon pa sa veto message, “the bill, while on its face amends the franchise of another entity over the expanded area, is a prohibited collateral attack on North Davao Electric Cooperative Inc. franchise. This is contrary to a jurisprudentially settled doctrine that a franchise cannot be subjected to a ‘collateral attack.’”

Gayunman, nananatiling nakatuon si Pangulong Marcos para sa tinatawag na total electrification ng Pilipinas, na aniya, "with utmost respect for the concomitant rights of the public service entities engaged in supplying electric service, as well as the consumers thereof."