DAVAO Light assured customers on Monday, April 21, that they will continue to provide reliable and quality service to existing customers within the current area while the procedures for the expansion are in the works.
In a statement released on April 21, the electric distribution utility firm said: “Davao Light recognizes that legal and regulatory procedures will require more time to take its due course. We undertake to respect and align with these processes and their timelines.”
Republic Act No. 12144, which expands the franchise area of Davao Light and Power Co., Inc. to Davao del Norte and Davao de Oro, lapsed into law and took effect on April 6.
The law grants the franchise to Davao Light in these areas, which was previously under the Northern Davao Electric Cooperative (Nordeco).
The law provided that Nordeco will be authorized to operate the existing distribution system within the franchise areas and implement existing power supply agreements with the generation companies approved by the Energy Regulatory Commission until DLPC fully takes over.
To ensure an uninterrupted supply of electricity, such operation of Nordeco shall not be longer than two years from the effectivity of the Act.
In an earlier statement on March 7, Davao Light president and COO Enriczar T. Tia said they will sit down with Nordeco for a smoother transition.
He added it is a privilege for the company to extend service to the area, which shows their “good brand of service” in Davao City.
Nordeco, meanwhile, has vowed to fight the expansion, which it insisted violated the exclusive franchise granted to them.
