CONGRATULATIONS to Davao Light and Power Co., my former employer, for having been issued a provisional certificate of public conveyance and necessity (PCPCN) by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC). With the PCPNC, the Davao City-based power distribution company can now start connecting electricity to residences/establishments in both Davao del Norte and Davao de Oro – whether new or with existing connections with the Northern Davao Electric Cooperative (Nordeco), if they want to.
Davao Light has been issued authority by Congress under R.A. 12144 to expand its franchise areas in the two provinces mentioned. In the process, the law allows for the change of power distributor in those provinces in the Davao Region.
However, NORDECO has questioned the said law in the Supreme Court, thereby temporarily putting on hold the assumption of Davao Light as the new electricity provider in all of the NORDECO franchise area. But under the PCPNC issued by the ERC, Davao Light is authorized to connect power to applicants from the NORDECO franchise.
While we believe the grant of PCPNC is one clear indication of support by the ERC for the law allowing the expansion of Davao Light’s franchise in both Davao del Norte and Davao de Oro, we know that the company could also be taking some risks.
Yes, we know that the Aboitiz-owned firm has already invested a sizeable sum of money for its line extension as well as putting up sub-stations to boost power once the electric distribution firm starts serving the NORDECO areas. But all of those investments could go to limbo.
What if the Supreme Court shoots down RA 12144 and allows Nordeco to continue enjoying its current franchise until its termination date? And while this situation is somewhat remote, more so if we have to factor in influence, connection, and money at the disposal of the aspiring electricity provider as compared to that of NORDECO and those behind the opposition to the takeover, it is quite difficult to read the minds of the members of the Highest Court.
Meaning, if the Supreme Court believes that there is no compelling reason to terminate early the NORDECO franchise, then chances are, it will rule in favor of the current power distribution franchise holder.
But again, no one knows exactly what is in the minds of the Supreme Court justices regarding the arguments leading to the approval of the law allowing the expansion of the Davao Light franchise. If they are convinced of its righteousness, then the consumers of the two Davao provinces, especially the business groups, will have reasons to be happy.
As we love to say in cases of development projects accruing to certain areas, “its real measure is when there will be more beneficiaries than sufferers.” And based on pronouncements from most – if not all – sectors of the Davao del Norte and Davao de Oro population, it appears that more are expected to become beneficiaries than sufferers when a change of electricity provider is finally realized.
But how long will it take the prospective beneficiaries to wait?
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Our omission.
Yes, we are sorry for missing some friends in our Christmas greetings that we included among the items in this column that came out during the last weekend.
We missed extending our Christmas greetings to the following friends of ours:
Times Publisher lawyer Jess Dureza, Marlu Villarosa and his family, former Airline executive Deo Escarilla and wife, former Second district of Davao City Congressman Vincent Garcia, former Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur Mayor Joel Lopez, former Vice Mayor Louie Bonguyan and his son Councilor John Louie Bonguyan, former Councilor Pilar Braga, Broadcaster and religious Pastor Alex Josol, Anchorman Edgar Banzon, former Councilor and Bangkerohan Barangay Captain Edgar Ibuyan, Talandang Barangay Chief Gil Lopez, fellow former Davao Light department chiefs lawyer Boy Braganza, Audit head Susan Penaflor, Accounting head Dave Bacalso, and former Assistant VP of Davao Light Reynold “Jong” Felix.
Again, our wish is for your Christmas season to be the happiest and the forthcoming year 2026 be more fruitful for you and your family.
