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davao light expansion

Davao Light: No talks yet with Nordeco as legal battle underway

by Nova Mae Francas December 17, 2025

written by Nova Mae Francas

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.

December 17, 2025 0 comments

Opinion

DCM sees movement in Davao Light expansion, but urges faster progress

by Contributor December 3, 2025

written by Contributor

MAJOR developments now pave the way for long-awaited improvements in electricity service for Davao del Norte and Davao de Oro.

On Nov. 24, 2025, the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) conducted a hearing on the Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN). This permit ensures that only qualified companies can operate power services that genuinely serve the public interest.

Once granted, the CPCN will allow Davao Light to legally expand into new areas. Under Republic Act 12144, the power distributor will extend its franchise to Tagum City, Island Garden City of Samal, Asuncion, Kapalong, New Corella, Talaingod, and San Isidro in Davao del Norte, as well as the entire province of Davao de Oro.

For consumers, this means that households and businesses in the expanded franchise area will soon gain access to Davao Light’s services – reliable and affordable electricity, improved customer service, and stronger support for local growth.

We commend the local chief executives and business leaders who attended the hearing for amplifying the voice of consumers, whom the Northern Davao Electric Cooperative (Nordeco) has continued to dismiss and ignore.

At the same time, we express disappointment that the second hearing has been scheduled for January 13, 2026, instead of December this year. While less than two months away, this delay prolongs the hardship of consumers awaiting a change in power service providers. We understand the realities of government bureaucracy, but such postponements hinder true progress.

Meanwhile, we commend the Davao del Norte Sangguniang Panlalawigan Committee of the Whole for passing, on November 24, 2025, a resolution opposing NORDECO’s franchise renewal bid. The resolution will now move to the provincial board for deliberation.

The measure, filed last month by Board Member Al David T. Uy, cited mounting complaints from residents, particularly in the Island Garden City of Samal, over what they described as poor service from Nordeco.

We thank the seven board members who voted against Nordeco’s franchise renewal bid. Your decision reflects the voice of consumers in Davao del Norte and aligns with the call for change and progress in the province’s power service.

Lastly, we commend the Sangguniang Panlalawigan for passing two resolutions – 1181 and 1182 – that will further advance the efforts to support the power transition in Davao del Norte.

Resolution 1181 calls for urgent action for a smooth, orderly, and uninterrupted transition of electrical services in Davao del Norte pursuant to Republic Act No. 12144.

Resolution 1182 expresses dissatisfaction with Nordeco’s electric distribution services due to their unreliability despite expensive charges. It requests the House of Representatives and the Senate to seriously take these sentiments into consideration in evaluating its application for franchise renewal.

Ultimately, these developments are about ensuring reliable, affordable electricity for the people of Davao del Norte and Davao de Oro, empowering communities to share in their provinces’ growth. #

Ryan Amper
Convenor
Davao Consumer Movement
0905-5634083

December 3, 2025 0 comments

News

Nordeco operations in full, normal condition

by Nova Mae Francas July 10, 2025

written by Nova Mae Francas

THE NORTHERN Davao Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Nordeco) reminded its member-consumer-owners (MCOs) that their operations are still in full and normal conditions amid the Davao Light and Power Co. expansion.

“We continue to serve as the exclusive electric distribution utility within our franchise areas—covering the entire Province of Davao de Oro and most parts of Davao del Norte, excluding Panabo City and the municipalities of Carmen, Braulio E. Dujali, and Sto. Tomas,” Nordeco said in a statement on Wednesday.

The electric distribution utility penned the statement following the launching of the Davao Light and Power Company of its first distribution pole and the groundbreaking ceremony for a 22 MVA (Mega Volt-Amperes) Digital Substation in Barangay Magugpo East on Tuesday, July 8.

The substation will also serve as a warehouse and stockyard facility for DLPC, marking its official start of operations in Davao del Norte, following the effectiveness of Republic Act 12144 on April 6.

RA 12144 lapsed into law, officially expanding Davao Light’s franchise area to include Davao del Norte and Davao de Oro.

“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,” Nordeco maintained.

It called on the involved parties to honor the judicial process, citing that the act is currently the subject of a pending Petition for Certiorari and Prohibition in the Supreme Court.

“Until a final decision is rendered by the High Court, all acts premised on the implementation of said law remain legally unsettled and therefore premature,” it stressed.

To note, Davao Light has already communicated and is awaiting feedback from Nordeco on the proposed creation of a Joint Transition Committee to facilitate an orderly transition, amid pending petitions.

July 10, 2025 0 comments