THE Northern Davao Electric Cooperative Inc. (Nordeco) reiterated on Wednesday, June 25, that any transition to Davao Light and Power Company remains “premature,” as the Petition for Certiorari and Prohibition it filed with the Supreme Court is still pending resolution.
The statement came after Davao Light executives paid a courtesy visit to Davao del Norte Governor Edwin I. Jubahib on June 23 to discuss the company’s planned expansion.
“Nordeco respectfully maintains that any such transition remains premature in light of the pending Petition for Certiorari and Prohibition before the Supreme Court, which questions the constitutionality and validity of Republic Act No. 12144. Until the High Court issues its ruling, we deem it prudent to await further legal guidance,” Nordeco said in its statement on Wednesday, June 25, 2025.
Nordeco said that it remains the sole electric distribution utility in Davao de Oro and Davao del Norte, except in Panabo City and the municipalities of Carmen, Braulio E. Dujali, and Sto. Tomas.
It also clarified that all operational matters and consumer concerns in its franchise areas continue to fall under NORDECO’s jurisdiction, with support from its member-consumer owners (MCOs).
The cooperative stressed that any transition must follow due legal process and that without these prerequisites, any takeover would be considered “legally unsettled.”
Meanwhile, Governor Jubahib shared his optimism about the planned expansion of Davao Light, which will cover District 1 of Island Garden City of Samal (Igacos) and Maco in Davao de Oro.
"Dako ang atong kalipay nga sa katapusan, matag Dabawnon matagaan na gyud og lig-on, kasaligan, ug patas nga serbisyo sa kuryente. Humana na ang mga katuigan sa taas nga bayranan ug kanunay nga brownout (We are very happy that, finally, every Dabawenyo will be provided with stable, reliable, and fair electricity service. The years of high electricity rates and frequent brownouts are now over),” Jubahib said in a June 23 Facebook post.
The Davao Consumer Movement expressed concern over the delayed transition of Davao Light into the franchise areas currently served by Nordeco, citing continued poor service experienced by consumers in Davao del Norte and Davao de Oro.
In a statement released on June 23, 2025, the group said residents in the affected areas have long supported the change in power provider due to frequent and prolonged power interruptions, poor customer service, and high electricity rates under Nordeco.
“The delay of Davao Light’s takeover does not honor the wishes of consumers – a change in the power provider of Davao del Norte and Davao de Oro,” the statement read.
The group lamented the lack of visible progress in the transition, such as the installation of new poles or meaningful discussions between the two distributors. They blamed Nordeco’s refusal to cooperate as a major obstacle.
The movement urged Davao Light to act swiftly and decisively to begin the transition process and called on Nordeco to cooperate. They also appealed to government agencies, particularly the Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Electrification Administration (NEA), to step in and enforce the implementation of the law.
The group emphasized that the issue goes beyond organizational interests, stressing that consumers are simply demanding their right to reliable and affordable electricity.
Nordeco earlier filed a petition with a Prayer for Preliminary Injunction and Temporary Restraining Order, asking the Supreme Court to declare Republic Act 12144 unconstitutional.
The cooperative argued that RA 12144 is “legally flawed” and violates the due process clause of the 1987 Constitution. It claims the petition aims to defend its existing franchise and support the government’s total electrification program by 2028.
RA 12144, which lapsed into law on April 6, 2025, reassigns the electric franchise areas of Tagum City, Igacos, and parts of Davao del Norte and Davao de Oro to Davao Light. The law took effect under Article VI, Section 27(1) of the Constitution, which allows a bill to become law if the President does not act on it within 30 days. President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. did not act on the measure within the prescribed period. RGP