Former Speaker and Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez has assailed officials of the Northern Davao Electric Cooperative (NORDECO) for its alleged continued inability to improve its poor service that has exacerbated the miseries faced by his constituents during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis.

In an interview, Alvarez disclosed that he has filed a legisaltive measure proposing the cancellation of the legislative franchise granted by Congress to NORDECO.

He said the recall of NORDECO”s appeared to be the only solution that would put an end to the burden being faced by his constituents as a result of the “lousy service” of the cooperative.

“I am in favor of the cancellation of franchise of the NORDECO because of its lousy service. The power utility, for long years, was standing in the way of Davao del Norte’s development,” Alvarez said.

“I already filed a bill for the termination of their franchise but no action yet,” he said.

The former House leader chided the NORDECO management for is inability to address the complaints aired by the public.

Unreasonable electricity rates, frequent power interruptions and rotational brownouts are among the complaints raised by concerned groups against NORDECO.

Alvarez said inefficient electric distribution service has been scaring off investors and have greatly disappointed those who are already doing business in key areas in the province, especially Tagum City.

He is only one of the many provincial officials who have lamented the poor quality of services extended by Nordeco.

Various groups have supported his call for the recall of the legislative franchise granted NORDECO. Among them are the Samal Island Chamber of Commerce & Industry Inc., Hugpong Manggama sa Isla, Samal City Resort Owners Association, Samal Island Tourism Council, United Association of Tricycle Operators and Drivers of Samal, and Tagum City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc.

“These resolutions were done to prove that consumer-members of NORDECO support the growing clamor of constituent consumer-members against the inefficient and unsatisfactory electricity services provided by NORDECO,” a petition signed by officials of the said organizations read.

Further the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Davao del Norte, last August signed a resolution that supports the call of six local government units to terminate NORDECO’s franchise.

The six LGUs that signed the petitions are Tagum City, Samal, Kapalong, New Corella, San Isidro, and Talaingod.