Davao Light and Power Company said it has started assessing and rehabilitating power distribution assets in its newly expanded franchise areas in Davao del Norte following the issuance of a Supplemental Writ of Possession by the court.
The order, issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 2 of Tagum City on May 15, 2026, grants Davao Light full control and operation of the remaining distribution assets previously held by Northern Davao Electric Cooperative (NORDECO).
The transition covers Tagum City and the municipalities of Asuncion, San Isidro, Kapalong, Talaingod, and New Corella.
Fermin Edillon, head of Davao Light’s Reputation Enhancement Department, said the company could not yet provide a timeline for the completion of the rehabilitation works since the power utility company had only recently gained full control of the assets.
Edillon did not give exact amount when asked about the rehabilitation budget and timeline.
“Wala pa ta’y figures because una-una kailangan pa nato iassess ang entire distribution network sa atoang nakuha,” Edillon told the media.
He admitted that most of the acquired facilities require immediate upgrades.
“Halos tanan gyud. All the substations needs to be upgraded, the lines needs to be upgraded kay importante na sa reliability sa atoang linya,” he said.
Edillon stressed that improvements would not happen overnight as the company still needs to reassess the entire network now that it has full access to inspect and evaluate the facilities.
“But again, it will not happen overnight. So, we need to reassess nato ang plano kay karon makagunit na man gud ta, ma-check na nato unlike before na igo ra ta magtan-aw,” he added.
Meanwhile, Edillon said one of the company’s immediate priorities is vegetation management to help reduce power interruptions.
“Mao nang usa sa mga inisyatibo namo ay kani, kaning vegetation management. Usa man gud ang vegetation sa hinungdan sa brownout,” Edillon said.
He noted that many of the power interruptions in Davao City were caused by trees and vegetation near power lines, prompting the company to implement massive trimming operations in the expanded franchise areas.
“So, i-expect pod sa atoang mga customer sa expanded franchise areas, dinha sa Tagum, Sawata, San Isidro, Daan, Kapalong, Asuncion, New Corella, Talaingod, na naay mga personahi na motuyo and mag-trim sa mga punoan na duol sa linya sa kuryente,” he added.
Edillon also revealed that Davao Light is constructing an additional power line from Maco to Tagum to address overloading in the existing transmission line supplying Tagum City.
“And naa pod ta’y gibutang na linya gikan sa Maco padulong sa Tagum para magbuhat ug ikaduhang linya, kay kana mang gung current linya nagasupply sa Tagum City, overloaded na,” he said.
Edillon said Davao Light remains committed to ensuring a smooth and lawful transition process with minimal disruption to consumers in the expanded franchise areas.
