THE REGIONAL Trial Court Branch 34, Panabo City, has issued the writ of possession to Davao Light and Power Co. (Davao Light), allowing the utility company to take over some of the Northern Davao Electric Cooperative’s assets in the Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS).
Fermin Edillon, Davao Light spokesperson, announced the development during the Davao Peace and Security Press Corps on Wednesday, Jan. 28.
The move is in connection with the expropriation proceedings that Davao Light filed involving the power distribution system serving the island.
Edillon said this is part of the implementation of Republic Act 12144, granting Davao Light the authority to expand its franchise in areas in Davao del Norte and Davao de Oro.
“The issuance of the writ enables the utility company to assume responsibility for the distribution system, ensuring the continued, safe, and reliable delivery of electricity to consumers,” he added.
With the issuance, Davao Light will undertake this process in line with established legal, regulatory, and operational procedures.
Edillon expressed optimism for the full cooperation of the Northern Davao Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Nordeco) in the transition process.
“We believe the earlier Davao Light can start operating in its expanded areas, the earlier we can start delivering cost-effective and world-class service to benefit households, the business sector, and the Local Government of IGaCoS,” he stressed.
Nordeco, in a statement issued on Tuesday, Jan. 27, acknowledged the receipt of the order granting the writ of possession.
“We received an order granting the writ of possession of Nordeco’s distribution systems assets found at 26 barangays out of the 46 barangays of the Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS),” it said in a Facebook post.
Nordeco said it will exhaust all available legal remedies under the prevailing laws and the rules of court to prevent power interruptions in the island. It also assured to protect the equity of the member-consumer-owners, the donated capital of the national government through the Department of Energy, National Electrification Administration, and the City Local Government Unit of Samal, if any.
“Nordeco, as the implementing arm of the government’s electrification program, shall remain steadfast in its mandate for missionary electrification and rural electrification program,” it stressed.
