FOLLOWING the installation of electric poles by Davao Light and Power Company, Inc. (Davao Light) in Tagum City on July 8, 2025, the Northern Davao Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Nordeco) assured the public that its operations remain fully functional and normal amid the ongoing franchise transition.
The activity marked the formal start of Davao Light’s operations in Tagum, coinciding with the inauguration of its new 22MVA Digital Substation and Warehouse Facilities. The move is part of the implementation of Republic Act No. 12144, which took effect on April 6, transferring the electric distribution in Davao del Norte, including the Island Garden City of Samal (Igacos), and some parts of Davao de Oro from Nordeco to Davao Light.
In a statement, Nordeco emphasized that it continues to operate as the exclusive electric distribution utility in its franchise areas, which include the entire province of Davao de Oro and most of Davao del Norte, except for Panabo City and the municipalities of Carmen, Braulio E. Dujali, and Sto. Tomas.
“Nordeco reassures our Member-Consumer-Owners (MCOs) that our operations remain in full and normal condition,” the cooperative said. “We continue to uphold our commitment to deliver reliable service and remain focused on our mandate to serve the people in accordance with the law.”
The cooperative also pointed out that RA 12144 remains under judicial review, with a Petition for Certiorari and Prohibition currently pending before the Supreme Court.
Nordeco warned that any acts implementing the law are premature and legally unsettled until a final decision is rendered.
“We call on all involved parties to honor the judicial process and uphold the Constitution by allowing the rule of law to prevail,” it said, urging MCOs to remain calm, vigilant, and informed as it continues to protect the integrity of its franchise.
Meanwhile, during the inauguration, Davao Light confirmed that it has initiated communication with Nordeco to establish a Joint Transition Committee aimed at facilitating a smooth and orderly handover of operations.
Davao Light also noted that the expansion of its franchise will bring new economic opportunities to Tagum City, Igacos, and several municipalities in Davao del Norte and Davao de Oro, including Asuncion, Kapalong, New Corella, San Isidro, Talaingod, Laak, Mabini, Maco, Maragusan, Mawab, Monkayo, Montevista, Nabunturan, New Bataan, and Pantukan.
Despite the legal dispute, Davao Light expressed a willingness to engage in dialogue for the benefit of their stakeholders and to ensure quality power service in the region.
Meanwhile, the Davao Consumer Movement views the inauguration as a hopeful start toward a better energy future for Davao del Norte — one that puts an end to years of high electricity rates, poor service, and constant outages.
The approval of Republic Act 12144, expanding Davao Light’s franchise, was a hard-won victory by the people.
However, they emphasize that this is just the beginning. They expect Davao Light to follow through, warning that the public didn’t fight for change just for a photo-op. Delays, they stress, mean continued hardship for consumers.
“As consumers, we will remain vigilant. We supported Davao Light because we believed they could be better. Now, they must prove it. We will hold them to account on the mandates of RA 12144,” the organization said in its statement. DEF