A vendor sorts ripe durian at a fruit stand beside Magsaysay Park in Davao City on Tuesday, July 21.
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Wednesday, July 22, 2026
Power firm explains rising electricity rates in Davao City
By Ivy Tejano
DAYANGHIRANG
DAVAO CITY – Davao Light and Power Co. Inc. explained on Tuesday morning, July 21, monthly electricity rate hikes before the Davao City Council, following the call for the utility to clarify the rising power costs affecting Davaoeños.
Councilor Danilo Dayanghirang, chairperson of the Committee on Finance, Ways and Means, and Appropriations, earlier expressed on his official Facebook page that the increase in electricity rate has added to people's financial burden.
DLPC President Engr. Enriczar Tia said the P0.78 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) increase in residential electricity rates for the July 11 to August 10, 2026 billing period was due to higher generation charges from P13.09/kWh from P12.30/kWh.
The councilor compared Davao Light's recent advisory with the past and noted that residential electricity rates have steadily increased from P9.71/kWh in December 2025 to P13.09/kWh this month.
While Davao Light cited higher generation charges, rising Wholesale Electricity Spot Market prices, power plant outages, and supply constraints as the reasons, Dayanghirang said consumers deserve a more comprehensive explanation.
"Almost two million residents of Davao City deserve a clearer explanation," Dayanghirang said. "The people have the right to know why their electricity bills continue to increase month after month. It is time for Davao Light to answer these questions."
He also said higher electricity rates increase costs not only for households and businesses but also for the city government, affecting hospitals, health centers, schools, government offices, street lights, and other public services.
Dayanghirang said the City Council wants to work with Davao Light and national government agencies to address the continued increase in electricity rates and reduce its impact on consumers.
Responding to questions from council members and the media, Tia said the increase in electricity rates was due to a tighter power supply following the shutdown of several power plants for maintenance or unexpected outages.
He added that the magnitude-7.8 earthquake that struck Mindanao on June 8 affected some generating facilities, reducing the available power supply in the Davao region and driving up WESM prices.
"The issue is not necessarily a complete lack of supply, but that available supply has become tighter than demand. When supply is limited, and demand remains high, market prices naturally increase," Tia said.
He reiterated that the increase stemmed from the generation charge, a pass-through cost under the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA), which means it does not profit from the increase.
The Davao Light official said that global fuel prices and geopolitical developments could affect generation costs, particularly for coal-fired power plants that rely heavily on imported fuel supplies.
Davao Light does not earn from generation charges, Tia said, noting that the company's revenue comes only from the distribution charge, which remains unchanged unless approved by the Energy Regulatory Commission.
Tia said the ERC allowed DLPC to spread part of the generation charge increase over five months to ease impact on consumers. He added that the deferred amount will be collected in equal installments from August to December 2026.
"Without the deferment, the residential rate could have exceeded P14 per kilowatt-hour," he said, reminding customers that the ERC has extended the temporary no-disconnection policy until around October due to higher electricity prices.
Davao Light urged consumers to continue paying their bills, warning that unpaid balances will continue to accumulate and may become more difficult to settle later, resulting in larger outstanding electricity bills.
Tia said building more power plants is the long-term solution to keeping electricity prices stable in Mindanao, the Visayas, and Luzon. He said more power plants would increase supply, reduce reliance on the spot market, and help lower electricity costs.
He disclosed that Therma South is studying to expand its existing power plant by adding another 300 megawatts to help meet the region's growing electricity demand. However, the final capacity has yet to be confirmed.
As of now, Tia said Davao Light is pursuing the procurement of an additional 100 megawatts of power through a competitive bidding process. He added that a more contracted supply would reduce the utility's exposure to WESM price fluctuations.
"It is hard to tell when rates will go down," said Tia, who hopes prices will begin to stabilize by September or October once power plants under maintenance resume operations, provided there are no major disruptions such as natural disasters.
Tia said Davao Light currently serves more than 500,000 customers and expects to add about 200,000 more with the expansion of its franchise in northern Davao, covering more households and business establishments.
He clarified that the franchise expansion did not cause the recent increase in electricity rates, stressing that the higher charges were driven solely by generation costs and WESM prices.
Despite the current challenges, Tia said Davao Light remains prepared to meet Davao City's growing electricity demand, which now peaks at around 600 to 620 megawatts, as the city continues to attract more businesses and investments.
Speaking at the Pulong-Pulong sa Dabawenyos on Tuesday afternoon, Dayanghirang urged Davao Light to help secure cheaper power and encouraged more power suppliers to invest in Davao City to increase competition and reduce electricity costs.
As part of the City Council's proposed measures, the councilor said the city should explore policies that encourage the use of solar energy to reduce dependence on conventional power sources.
Dayanghirang proposed that the council pass a resolution inviting more power generation companies to supply electricity to Davao City, saying that greater competition could help lower electricity prices.
"We will continue inviting Davao Light and other concerned parties to appear before the Davao City Council in line with the electricity situation. We want to help find a solution together with the company and other agencies," Dayanghirang said.
In addition, he said existing bilateral power supply arrangements should be reviewed, urging suppliers such as Therma South to prioritize DLPC and Davao City before selling available electricity to other areas.
Dayanghirang said Davao City has long been a major customer of power suppliers and should be given priority in securing affordable and reliable electricity to support the city's growing population and economy.
Stocks snap 4-day rally as peso slips near record low
Local stocks snapped their four-day winning streak as weakening currency prompted investors to lock in recent profits, pulling the benchmark index back from near-overbought levels.
The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) fell 81.92 points, or 1.28 percent, to close at 6,333.80 on Tuesday, July 21. The decline followed the sustained upward push that brought the market close to overbought territory, prompting traders to take money off the table while searching for fresh economic catalysts to sustain the breakout above the 6,400 technical threshold.
Foreign exchange pressure served as the primary catalyst for the session’s pull-back. The peso depreciated to 61.745 per United States (US) dollar, hovering just short of the historic low of 61.75 recorded on April 30, 2026. The currency’s sharp slide renewed market anxieties over imported inflation and elevated corporate input costs.
“The local bourse ended lower as investors took profits after a four-day winning streak, with the benchmark index still looking for catalysts to stabilize above the 6,400 level,” said Luis Limlingan, managing director at Regina Capital Development Corp.
Despite the broad-based retreat, market strategists viewed the move as an orderly adjustment following the recent advance. Michael Ricafort, chief economist at Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., noted that the peso’s move toward record lows remains a key variable for equities, as a sustained currency decline risks driving up importation costs and feeding into headline consumer prices.
Sectoral performance was mixed, with services leading the downturn as traders trimmed exposure in consumer and telecom heavyweights. Moderate buying interest in mining and industrial counters helped cushion the market from steeper losses.
Trading activity expanded during the session, with overall volume rising to 703 million shares valued at ₱7.94 billion. Market breadth turned negative, with decliners outpacing advancers 107 to 91, while 52 issues finished unchanged.
Investors are expected to monitor foreign exchange movements and upcoming economic releases closely to gauge whether the index can establish a firmer base above 6,300 before mounting another test of upper resistance levels.
Boom Cagayan de Oro
A Brown Company is moving forward with two major renewable energy projects in Mindanao, both targeted for completion by 2029.
The projects include the 190MW Manolo Fortich Solar Project in Bukidnon and the 200MW Misor Wind Project in Misamis Oriental.
Once completed, the company expects its renewable energy business to contribute 50% of the Group's total income, marking a major step in expanding beyond its real estate business.
Source: Minutes of the General or Special Stockholders’ Meeting – June 25, 2026
Why do old people get tired so easily?
Alan Fothergill
Im almost 70 and in great shape and as fit as a fiddle. I walk at a pace, carry heavy shopping loads, don't look my age, don't feel anywhere near my age.
I went to my doctor surgery recently and had several tests. ECG, blood pressure, Sats test etc and the doctor was visibly surprised when he saw me. “I expected a grey haired old man with a walking stick” he said. “Instead I see a fit, healthy man who looks no older than mid fifties!”. His final words were “ You will easily live to 100”.
Here's the strange thing. I never exercise or play any sports. I eat whatever I like and never diet. I often sleep only 3 or 4 hours a night. Im still slim and have a decent head of hair with very few greys. I never feel tired except for in the early hours of the morning. Im a full time carer and keep busy all the time. Im sharp of mind and often multi task. Maybe Im just lucky but I must be doing something right. Im never sick and cant recall the last time I had as much as a headcold.
I don't eat between meals and eat healthy most of the time. I cook most food from scratch and eat lots of veg and fruit. I bake all my pastries, cakes and biscuits from scratch. Only eat chicken meat and oily fish. Have the occasional beer or glass of wine. Drink breakfast tea and green tea and the occasional coffee. Keep my mind active every waking hour. I consider myself very fortunate.
For those negative people who have commented below claiming I haven't answered the question. My personal experience contradicts the questioner because I rarely feel tired. I was simply pointing out that not all people over a certain age get tired so easily. Clearly that never occurred to the snipers and jealous types who think that once you reach a certain age you should be as miserable as they are and suffering pain and discomfort every day!
What are the biggest culture shocks people face when they arrive in Germany?
by Emi Rina
The culture shocks I experienced during my 6-month stay in Heidelberg, Germany were:
1. Respect for pedestrians:
People stopped their luxury cars to let pedestrians cross the street even when the traffic light indicated otherwise. And they did it respectfully and with a smile on their faces, without getting angry. This was truly unusual for me, in a happy way.
2. Punctuality: Everyone respects each other's time. Trains and buses, the preferred means of transportation, are mostly on time (99% of the time). I could predict my office time every day with near-certainty. Living in Bangalore definitely makes time uncertain. :P
3. Drinking habits: People drink beer at all hours of the day, in the morning, before lunch, and even before going to the office. I had this preconceived idea that drinking was associated with parties or usually in the evening/night. My bad! :P
4. Leftovers: We used to get emails at the office like, "Leftovers from a kitchen party. Please help yourself." At first, I was shocked to see this kind of email. I wondered why someone who works for a reputable company with all the resources and means would want to eat leftovers from a party? But then I discovered that leftovers are usually part of the fresh, untouched food. And people have no inhibitions about eating leftovers. I, too, joined in several times afterward to eat leftovers again and again. :)
5. Free things and gifts: I've seen couches and other luxurious-looking furniture outside a couple of homes many times. I thought people were probably having their homes remodeled or cleaned or something. Later, I saw a message board that said something like, "We don't need it anymore. Feel free to take it if you want." (Not exactly, but something like that.) Living in India, where people usually cling to things, even my family, seeing this attitude was a new sensation for me.
Living alone in a foreign country for about six months taught me a lot about every aspect of my life. And I recommend everyone do it at least once.
Letting my curly hair flow wildly
By Maryryn Queenie
Most girls get hair treatments done during their teenage years or even in their 20s, when they’ve decided whether or not they love their natural hair. I got it at 6 years old. And I wasn’t even given a chance to like mine.
I vividly remember 14 years ago; it was a sunny afternoon. Like most children, I waited all day to finally be able to play outside. To fill my hands with mud and pretend to cook leaves. My mom, dressed, slowly approached me. “Aalis tayo, (we’re leaving)” she said as she took my hand.
After a six-minute jeepney ride from our barangay, I walked into a place where the sounds of hairdryers and multiple scary machines filled the space. I didn’t know what the place was. I couldn’t even read yet what the sign outside said.
My mom said, “Upo ka diyan. Magpapa-rebond ka (Sit down, you’re getting a rebond).” I sat there as people worked on my hair using smelly chemicals that hurt my nose and hot equipment that burned me multiple times.
And I did it every six months. For years.
My hair had always swirled like telephone wires. As much as I love playing with it (every time I pull it, it would bounce back to its original shape), it was the reason why I was different from the rest of them.
“Bruha!” “Kulot salot” and even “aeta” were the words I heard people say to me every day. And not only outside but by my own family.
That was the kind of environment I was born and raised in—loud, not with laughter, but with anger and hatred. Where people rejected progress and little children couldn’t even think to dream. I hated it.
It made me question, what was wrong with my hair? What was wrong with me?
As I grew up, I knew who I was and what I am for. I should never be like them. I made efforts to stand up for myself and all the injustices that came my way. But if you are a child, doing it all alone, it is impossible to be heard in all its noise. And if you’re a child, unheard, with no resources, it’s impossible to get help, especially professionally. Still, I persisted.
I studied harder and eventually became interested in politics and journalism. All this knowledge gave me even more courage to rise above where I’ve come from. It became my everything. It gave me a space where I was heard, a platform to make a change. I used it to speak up, not only for me but for others.
One pandemic night after crying to myself and being tired of everything, the urge of wanting total change electrified me. I stood in front of the mirror, steady with courage. There I saw a girl built on worn-out threads but was able to turn it into steel covered in roses — there may be thorns but she never failed to bloom.
I gathered my long straight hair and slowly, my hands trembled reaching for the scissors. I never knew the sound of scissors cutting into hair would be something that would finally bring light into such a dark place. I’ve never felt so alive and free. It was my own form of rebellion.
As I cut my hair, I also cut the shadows of my past and my poisonous relations along with it. And then tears started falling down. And for once, it wasn’t for pain but for the lightness I felt in my heart for the first time.
“Healing is the best form of revenge,” they said. I am now an independent 20-year-old woman and my curly hair also had its time to finally grow, flowing wildly into the rhythm of nature.
I graduated high school with nine medals while navigating my way toward adulthood. I managed to fly higher — in life and into the mountains of Baguio. I now live alone; I get to do everything on my own yet somehow, there’s always a smile on my face in each part of it. I am halfway through college with the best risks I’ve ever taken.
The daughter of emotionally unavailable people even found it in her heart to love … and be loved. Opening my doors to people took a lot of courage. I never trusted anyone, especially myself for that matter. Thankfully, I found Risha, Rica, Isa, and all my friends — the wind that inspired me to fly, especially in the most lifeless times. They made me realize that I was never too much. And my Sam, whose gentle and kind love made my rainy days full of rainbows.
And most importantly, I learned to be kind to myself … and to the little girl I once was. I now make sure to get all I need. I listen to my body. I work on my growth, empowerment, and healing. I take care of myself — not only physically but also emotionally and mentally.
To my 6-year-old-self and her telephone curls, life gets better. You can make it better. You will write your own story. You will decide your own hairstyles. You will be loved. You will be free. You may have had to grow up too soon, but you will find ways to heal the little you later. You will grow up into such an empowered woman who empowers others too. A soft universe awaits you. I am proud of you.
Life truly gets better.
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