THE DAVAO Light and Power Company (Davao Light) has yet to sit down with Northern Davao Electric Cooperative’s (Nordeco) on transition activities pending the decision from the Supreme Court.
“Unfortunately, we have yet to sit down with Nordeco because they are still waiting for the decision of the Court,” Engr. Enriczar Tia, Davao Light president and chief operating officer, said in a press conference on Monday at their Davao Light office.
In June, Nordeco filed before the Supreme Court a Petition for Certiorari and Prohibition with Prayer for Writ of Preliminary Injunction and Temporary Restraining Order to declare Republic Act 12144 as “unconstitutional.”
RA 12144, which lapsed into law on April 6, officially expands Davao Light’s franchise area to include Davao del Norte and Davao de Oro.
But Tia stressed that pending the court’s decision, the law is regular and executory.
He noted the extension of the poles in Kapalong and Tagum, Davao del Norte, is in line with the transition.
“We are making all these activities necessary for preparation. We cannot wait for the next two years before we act,” he said.
Tia added that they cannot proceed, considering the need for facilities such as poles, wires, and transformers, which the company has yet to complete.
He added that they offered to purchase the assets of Nordeco, but the latter did not agree to anything yet.
“What’s going on now is building facilities, but the fastest, hopefully, is for us and Nordeco to be able to agree that we purchase their assets,” he said.
Tia revealed the company has undergone a hearing with the Energy Regulatory Commission for the issuance of the Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN).
CPCN is a regulatory license in the country issued by bodies like the ERC, authorizing essential public utility services (like electricity, telecom, transport) to operate, ensuring they serve public interest and meet standards.
Tia said during the first hearing that the company was not able to present an expository presentation due to the interventions from Nordeco. Another hearing is set for Jan. 13, 2026.
“Hopefully, after that, ERC should be able to decide and then grant the CPCN so that legally we can start operating in Nordeco areas,” he said.
Tia clarified that if, for instance, ERC grants the CPCN, the company still relies on Nordeco’s cooperation.
