THE DAVAO del Norte Electric Cooperative (Nordeco) urged its consumers against switching to Davao Light and Power Co. as the certificate of public convenience and necessity (CPCN) is still “provisional.”Nordeco announced Tuesday, Jan. 20, that it continues to be a legitimate electric distribution utility to Davao del Norte and Davao de Oro.“Busa, giawhag ang atong mga pinanggang miyembro-konsumante-tag-iya sa padayon sa pagsuporta sa atong Nordeco,” it said.“Dili magpadala sa mga haylo nga magpakonek sa Davao Light aron malikayan ang kasamok ug kahasol,” it stressed.Nordeco reiterated that the law mandating expansion of Davao Light’s franchise in their areas is not yet final.“Ang balaud sa pag-expand sa Davao Light ngadto sa Nordeco franchise area, dili pa final kay gipasaka pa sa Supreme Court ang pag-question sa maong bala-udnon,” Nordeco said. It stressed that the hearing for the application of CPCN is still ongoing. “Ug gani, sa milabayng hearing adtong Enero 13, 2026, Dili hingit ug ligdong ang tubag sa Davao Light sa dihang gipangayuan sila og pasalig nga dili motaas ang taripa sa kuryente ug wala nay brownout kung mosulod na sila,” it stressed.In an en banc commission meeting on December 12, the ERC granted provisional authority (PA) approval for Davao Light’s CPCN. The ERC authorized Davao Light to start connecting customers in Davao del Norte and Davao de Oro, as stated in Republic Act 12144.Davao Light also urged the consumers that the decision allows them to accept applications for connections.Despite this, Nordeco continues their fight over the contested area.On Dec. 22, 2025, APEC Partylist Rep. Sergio Dagooc and PHILRECA Rep. Presley de Jesus filed House Bill 7006, granting Nordeco a franchise to construct, install, establish, operate, own, manage and maintain distribution systems for the conveyance of electric power to the end users in Davao del Norte and De Oro.This includes municipalities of Compostela, Monkayo, New Bataan, Montevista, Maragusan, Nabunturan, Mawab, Laak, Maco, Mabini And Pantukan in the province of Davao De Oro And municipalities of Asuncion, New Corella, Kapalong, San Isidro, and Talaingod in the Province Of Davao Del Norte and the City Of Tagum.In June 2025, 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.
