Davao Light and Power Company, Inc. (DLPC) is a Davao-based Filipino electricity company and the third largest[1] privately owned electric utility in the Philippines and is owned by Aboitiz Power Corporation (AboitizPower).[2] In 2007, the company had 247,341 customers[3] and 290,000 customers in 2012.[4] It serves Davao City and several southern parts of the Province of Davao Del Norte namely: Panabo City, Carmen, Braulio E. Dujali, Sto. Tomas, and southern portions of Asuncion and Kapalong, later expanded into the entire province of Davao del Norte.
The company was founded in 1929[5] and originally owned by P. H. Frank but was sold to the Aboitiz Group in 1941.[6]
A house bill seeking to expand its franchise area was vetoed by Pres. Bongbong Marcos on July 27, 2022.[7][8] However, another similar bill lapsed into law on April 6, 2025, effectively expanding its franchise area.[9]
Service area
Current areas of Davao Light
Areas currently in service pre-2026 expansion
- Braulio E. Dujali – added in 1998 after its creation as a municipality.
- Carmen – added 1970s.
- Davao City – Original and core service area.
- Panabo – added 1970s.
- Santo Tomás – added 1970s.
Additional areas post-2026
- Asunción
- Kapalong
- New Corella
- Samal – Recently started its operations as of February 26, 2026 covering 56.52% of areas around the island city, leaving NORDECO to remain in 43.48% of areas but in co-existence.[10]
- Sawata
- Tagum – Recently started its operations as of May 26, 2026, superseding Northern Davao Electric Cooperative (NORDECO) as a service provider.[11]
- Talaingod
Partial and limited coverage areas
- Arakan – Particularly Datu Ladayon, Gambodes and Katipunan, which co-exists with Cotabato Electric Cooperative (COTELCO). This is due to proximity surrounding Bukidnon-Davao Road.
- Kitaotao – Particularly some areas bordering Davao City.
- Maco – Western areas such as Concepción, Hijo and Pangi but co-exists with NORDECO. This is the Davao Light’s first step to expand into coastal areas of Davao de Oro.
- Santa Cruz – Particularly Darong and Inawayan, which co-exists with Davao del Sur Electric Cooperative (DASURECO) and also due to close proximity with Therma South power plant owned by Davao Light’s parent company AboitizPower.[12]
References
- ^ “Davao Light gets rate hike”. Asia Africa Intelligence Wire. January 9, 2004. Retrieved September 18, 2012.
- ^ “ERC completes hearings on Davao Light’s petition”. Philippine Daily Inquirer. May 18, 2002. Retrieved September 18, 2012.
- ^ Ilagan-Bian, Joji (June 14, 2008). “Davao Light and Dabawenyos: Formidable partners”. inquirer.net. Retrieved September 18, 2012.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ “No rotational brownout yet in city”. Sun.Star. March 30, 2012. Archived from the original on March 31, 2012. Retrieved September 18, 2012.
- ^ “History”.
- ^ Frank, John Russell (2009). On the Road Home: An American Story: A Memoir of Triumph and Tragedy on a Forgotten Frontier. iUniverse. p. 294. ISBN 978-1440193743. Retrieved September 18, 2012.
- ^ “Marcos vetoes bill expanding franchise area of Davao Light and Power”. GMA News. July 28, 2022. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
- ^ “Marcos vetoes bill expanding Davao Light and Power franchise”. CNN Philippines. July 28, 2022. Archived from the original on July 29, 2022. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
- ^ Francisquete, David Ezra M. (April 10, 2025). “Davao Light franchise expansion becomes law”. SunStar Publishing Inc. Retrieved June 13, 2026.
- ^ Panganiban, Chris (March 7, 2026). “Davao Light welcomes SC ruling, controls Samal power assets”. Inquirer.
- ^ Palicte, Che (May 25, 2026). “Davao Light to take over power distribution in 4 Davao Norte areas”. Philippine News Agency.
- ^ Therma South, Inc (Map). AboitizPower.