Dagupan Electric Corporation (DECORP) is one of the premier electric distribution utilities in Luzon, providing one of the most reasonable electric rates in the province of Pangasinan and in the whole of Luzon. Starting as the Lim and De Leon Company in 1951, it has over 70 years of experience in the electricity distribution business. It is considered as the one of the oldest, most experienced and
efficient distribution companies among all privately owned utilities in the country today. DECORP operates and maintains a highly reliable distribution system, which is regularly maintained to meet safety and reliability standards and growing customer demand It also has one of the most efficient operations in terms of customer services and complaint response time. In its effort to continuously improve its services to customers, it is part of the first group of Distribution Utilities to enter the performance based methodology of the Energy Regulatory Commission of the Philippines. DECORP distribution network is managed by the Network Operations Management from its office at the Bacayao Substation in Calasiao. Its combined substation capacity is 108 MVA, which is more than sufficient to meet its present power demands. This capacity is distributed through a highly reliable distribution network serving more than 349.33 sq km of land area comprised of 1 city, 5 municipalities and 2 barangays. At present, DECORP uses state of the art technology of Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) to operate its substations by remote. Distribution lines and facilities including distribution transformers are maintained by efficient company linemen, augmented by professional sub-contactors. Distribution construction and maintenance is supported by articulated vehicles and trucks, and "hotline" equipment which allows work on energized lines, to minimize service interruptions. DECORP customer service is managed by the Retail Services Management from its office at AB Fernandez West, in Dagupan City. Services related to metering, billing and collections are centralized while customer services are de-centralized in the 5 other satellite offices that it maintains in each franchise area covered. All of these offices, together with accredited banks and malls, are linked "on-line" to the Dagupan City Office to ensure real-time transactions and records updating. DECORP billing, including meter reading, has been computerized since 1990, while collection was fully automated in 1994. The ability to render efficient services while maintaining reasonable rates, which is one of the highlights of DECORP services, is due to its prudence in investment and operations. Only assets and expenses which are deemed necessary to convey safe and effective services that will redound to the best interest of the customers are permitted. Using such a principle, customer are always guaranteed to get the best services at the most cost-efficient manner.
