DAVAO CITY — An official of the Davao Light and Power Company (Davao Light) announced over the weekend that they are poised for an electricity rate increase in June due to the impact of El Niño on power sourcing.
Fermin Edillon, head of Davao Light’s Reputation Enhancement Department, said the planned increase will be reflected in the billing period starting June 15. Consumers within its franchise area may expect the posting of the updated rate on June 17.
“But let me clarify: we are saying that there may be an increase,” Mr. Edillon told BusinessWorld. “The demand normally increases during the summer months, it is also normal if the generating capacity in hydro runs out during the summer months, but now it is quite severe due to the impact of El Niño.”
Last January, Davao Light’s rate was at P8.81 per kilowatt hour then increased in February to P9.25. In March, the power rate dropped to P8.99 then increased in April to P9.13 and in May to P10.76.
Mr. Edillon said Davao Light is expecting that by next month the generating capacity will likely return to normal.
Aside from Davao City, franchise areas of Davao Light include Panabo City and the municipalities of Braulio E. Dujali, Carmen, and Santo Tomas in Davao del Norte, covering a total of 480,000 customers.
The company encouraged its customers to properly manage their energy consumption. — Maya M. Padillo
