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Years of unreliable electricity that disrupted businesses and daily life in Davao del Norte may soon ease, following Davao Light and Power Co.’s acquisition of key assets from the Northern Davao Electric Cooperative (Nordeco).
In towns like Kapalong and Asuncion, power interruptions have long been more than an inconvenience; they have translated into financial losses, damaged equipment, and operational uncertainty.
For Cynthia Castañares, manager of a 7-Eleven branch in Kapalong, brownouts have become part of daily operations. Without consistent prior notice, outages force her team to rely on a generator while carefully tracking fuel costs and downtime.
At times, the instability has damaged equipment, including a point-of-sale system. Even with contingency measures, the unpredictability of outages affects customer service and sales, particularly for a business that operates around the clock.
Other small retailers face similar pressures. One Kapalong shop owner, who requested anonymity, pays between ₱4,000 and ₱7,000 monthly for electricity while contending with unannounced interruptions. Her business also inherited over ₱50,000 in arrears linked to past disputes in the area’s power distribution.
Despite slight improvements in recent months, she said outages persist. “I think they just got used to people not complaining because they monopolized our electrical needs,” she said. “Now, if we had a choice, I would definitely transfer to another company.”
Costly Losses
In neighboring Asuncion, the consequences of unstable electricity have been even more severe for some enterprises.
Meat shop owner Noel Jabines recalled losing 100 kilos of chicken during a prolonged outage that rendered his inventory unsafe for sale. Over a decade, he has also replaced three freezers damaged by power fluctuations, each costing up to ₱60,000.
“You work so hard, and then in one moment, it’s gone,” he said, describing the compounded losses that forced him to take out loans.
Others have adopted preventive measures to cope with the unreliable grid. Learning from his previous work experience, printing shop owner Crisanto Candelaria invested in automatic voltage regulators with built-in delay systems to protect his equipment from sudden outages and surges.
Meanwhile, appliance retailers report a rise in damaged electronics linked to fluctuating power. Sales associate Lyza Labador noted that newly purchased televisions are frequently returned with screen defects attributed to voltage instability, often requiring costly replacements.
For households, the impact extends beyond business losses. Some residents have turned to solar panel systems to stabilize expenses, while others endure interruptions that also disrupt water supply, highlighting the broader infrastructure challenges tied to inconsistent power.
Court Ruling Shifts Power Landscape
The persistent issues come amid a long-running dispute over power distribution in Davao del Norte, which has left consumers uncertain about service providers and billing responsibilities.
A major development came on March 25, 2026, when Davao Light and Power Company (DLPC) formally acquired key assets of Nordeco following a writ of possession issued by the Regional Trial Court in Tagum City.
The takeover covers four substations, three in Tagum City and one in Asuncion, allowing DLPC to begin expanding operations across the province under Republic Act No. 12144, which extended its franchise to Davao del Norte and Davao de Oro.
DLPC president and chief operating officer Engr. Enriczar Tia expressed hope for a smooth transition, calling for cooperation from Nordeco officials.
Provincial Governor Edwin Jubahib welcomed the development, citing the importance of reliable electricity in supporting businesses and economic activity.
Early Signs Of Transition
Even before the formal acquisition, Davao Light had begun extending services to select areas. In February, the company energized the Davao del Norte Hospital in Kapalong to ensure uninterrupted power for healthcare operations. It also completed a submarine cable connection to the Island Garden City of Samal, where it assumed distribution operations and reduced reliance on generator sets.
In some Kapalong neighborhoods, residents have already begun connecting to Davao Light, reporting lower electricity bills and more stable service compared to existing conditions.
However, the transition remains uneven. Many consumers, particularly in Asuncion, continue to pay Nordeco while awaiting clarity on when full service migration will occur.
Hope Tempered By Uncertainty
For residents and business owners, the entry of Davao Light represents a potential shift toward improved service but also raises questions about timing and implementation.
Some, like Jabines, have observed modest improvements in Nordeco’s service in recent months, possibly driven by the looming competition. “Now, the power is a bit more stable. It’s better than it was, but I still don’t trust it completely,” he said.
Across the province, consumers are closely watching developments, weighing the promise of more reliable and affordable electricity against years of experience with instability.
For now, businesses continue to adapt, running generators, investing in protective equipment, and absorbing losses where necessary. But with the ongoing transition, many are hopeful that a more stable power supply may finally be within reach.
Source:
https://www.mindanaotimes.com.ph/davao-light-secures-substations-in-davao-del-norte/
