MATI CITY, Davao Oriental — Faced with persistent challenges in energy and water services, the Provincial Government of Davao Oriental is ramping up efforts to pursue long-term and sustainable solutions by tapping innovative and alternative technologies.
For years, residents have endured the burden of high electricity costs and frequent power outages, which have worsened over time due to increasing demand and aging infrastructure
On the other hand, while the province is rich in water resources, communities continue to rely heavily on groundwater. This dependence, compounded by the effects of climate change and depleting aquifers, places some areas in the province at risk of water stress in the coming years.
In search of solutions, one promising proposal came from EōS Organization, a global firm specializing in sustainable energy, water, and infrastructure. The proposal explores alternative technologies, such as desalination, hydro-pumped storage, solar, waste-to-energy (WTE), and nuclear power at no cost to the government.
During a recent dialogue among officials and representatives from EōS Organization, the provincial and municipal governments, local water districts, and power utility distributors, EōS CEO Aaron Green said that these potential technologies are not only sustainable, clean, climate-resilient, and affordable, but also tailored to the needs and available resources in the province.
However, since the proposed investment will also benefit nearby provinces such as Davao del Norte and Davao de Oro, which face similar challenges, EōS has called for the full cooperation and support of all LGUs to ensure its implementation.
Green affirmed the organization’s commitment to helping address the province’s water and energy challenges, citing EōS’s successful projects in the Philippines and other countries.
“Being in the Philippines, we’ve noticed that everyone has the same issue: it’s affordable energy and constant access to potable water, and we’d like to integrate those problems and come up with a solution that works [because] it’s more efficient and reduces the cost to the consumer,” he shared.
Davao Oriental Governor Nelson L. Dayanghirang, on the other hand, sees the proposal as a vital opportunity to finally resolve the province’s longstanding energy and water issues, affirming his commitment to providing clean, reliable, and affordable access to these essential services for all residents.
“We are especially hopeful that through this Zero CapEx Model, we can reduce cost while achieving greater benefits for our people. The goal is clear: Davao Oriental powered by sustainable, efficient, and fair systems,” the Governor emphasized.
Reiterating EōS’s call, he called on all municipal mayors and concerned officials from every town in the province to actively participate in all planning and consultation phases, emphasizing that their involvement is vital in ensuring a reliable power supply and safe drinking water for their constituents.
While the initiative is still in its early stages, as a way forward, the provincial government is set to facilitate the formulation of an Energy Code and a Water Code. These will serve as frameworks to guide sustainable and climate-resilient developments aimed at addressing the province’s longstanding energy and water challenges.
The PLGU also plans to form a Provincial Water Governance Board, adopt national energy programs, promote watershed protection, declare local protected areas, and bolster research to support evidence-based policies. PIA DAVAO