Davao Light and Power Company (Davao Light) President and Chief Operating Officer Rodger Velasco bared that Davao Light and the local government unit (LGU) of the Island Garden City of Samal (Igacos) are in exploratory talks on addressing power woes in the island.
However, Velasco clarified that it is still in the early stage and he cannot yet disclose the details of the discussion as there are still many uncertainties.
It can be recalled that Igacos Mayor Al David Uy called on the Northern Davao Electric Cooperative (NORDECO) Inc. and the Davao Light to work together in addressing the power crisis in Samal.
“We have recent talks but we cannot yet disclose what are the contents of the discussion as it still exploratory and there are things that we need to clear pa. Naa mi mga discussions but it’s still in the early stage and we cannot yet disclose it ang dami pang mga uncertainties. The public may expect something positive that may not happen or it may happen. Mahirap mag-manage ng expectations ng consumers,” Velasco said during Business Forum @ Hukad at Ayala Malls Abreeza on Friday.
Uy urged last week the two electric utilities to work together wherein the LGU can utilize NORDECO’s substation of its stalled submarine cable and tap into Davao Light’s substation in Doña Pilar, Brgy. Sasa in its plan to establish its own submarine cable.
In July 2022, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. vetoed House Bill (HB) 10554, which aims to expand the franchise area of Davao Light in Davao del Norte by including Tagum City, IGaCoS, municipalities of Asuncion, Kapalong, New Corella, San Isidro, and Talaingod.
The said areas are presently under NORDECO.
HB 10554 will grant Davao Light an expanded franchise area for 25 years to ensure the continuous and uninterrupted supply of electricity in the said areas.
Currently, the franchise area of Davao Light covers Davao City and Panabo City and the municipalities of Carmen, Dujali, and Sto. Tomas in Davao del Norte.
