Power consumers in Davao del Sur and Davao Occidental will experience a 13-centavo per kilowatt hour (kWh) increase in their electric bill for May 2024. 

According to the Davao del Sur Electric Cooperative Inc. (DASURECO), the slight increase is due to the generation charges. The distribution charges remains the same since 2012.

DASURECO said a household consuming 200kWh will get an increase of P26 or a power bill of P2,263.84 in May 2024 from P2,237.78 in April.

“It is important to note that this projection is based on standard consumption, and the actual bill will vary depending on individual usage patterns,” DASURECO said.

DASURECO OIC Corporate Planning Department Manager, Engr. Darius Roldan, said DASURECO had to use its diesel-powered modular generators sets for a short time due to an in increase in power demand of 8.27 percent from March to April 2024.

“Atong April, nakita nato nga nisaka g’yud siya. Mao pud ni ang panahon nga grabe ang init. Tungod ani, nisaka atong demand” (“We observed an increase in demand in April. This coincided with the heatwave, which was the primary reason for the rise in demand”),” Roldan said.

“The use of the diesel generators is necessary to sufficiently provide electricity to DASURECO’s consumers amidst the power grid situation. This is the main factor that contributes to the slight increase in generation charges,” DASURECO added.

DASURECO Board President, Al Castillon, assured that DASURECO will not experience power supply shortage.

“Ang atong kooperatiba dili g’yud makasinati og power interruption gawas anang unscheduled because we have 16 megawatts reserved naa sa atong compound. That’s why during the drought season, katong naggipit ta’g kuryente, ang atong kooperatiba naka-sustain og hatag kay naa man tay sarili,” Castillon said.