DAVAO CITY – The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has granted provisional approval for the Davao Light and Power Co. (DLPC) to operate in Davao del Norte and Davao de Oro.
In a statement Saturday, DLPC president and chief operations officer Enriczar Tia said the authority means that Davao Light now has a provisional approval to connect customers and collect payments for its service, subject to final approval by the commission.
It can be recalled that the power firm’s expansion was approved in April via Republic Act (RA) 12144, allowing the DLPC to take over franchise areas from Northern Davao Electric Cooperative (NORDECO) in various parts of the two provinces.
In an en banc commission meeting on Dec. 12, the energy regulator granted Provisional Authority (PA) approval for Davao Light’s Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN).
“We welcome this decision of the ERC. For months, Davao Light has laid the foundation of our network in our expanded areas. With this decision, we can now accept applications for connections,” Tia said.
He, however, said the DLPC cannot take over the entire area covered by RA 12144 just yet, with NORDECO’s continued refusal to sell its assets to the private utility.
For now, he said, the DLPC has only been able to string a connection in Kapalong town in Davao del Norte due to its proximity to the original DLPC area.
“We still hope to enter into negotiations for the assets of NORDECO so we can connect as many customers as we can,” he said.
Tia said that customers who want to transfer to DLPC may apply online.
“Links to the application process can be found on the Davao Light Facebook page, website, and other channels,” he added.
Customers in Kapalong, he said, may start receiving power from the DLPC before the year ends, and receive their bills after their respective billing cycle, starting January next year.
He said the DLPC has plans to put its own lines, poles, and substations, though it might take many years before it can start connecting customers in areas like Samal or Tagum. (PNA)