By CHRIS V. PANGANIBAN
SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur – Hundreds of NCECCO (National Confederation of Electric Cooperatives’ Member-Consumer-Owners) members from Davao del Norte and Davao de Oro came together today in Tagum City for a prayer march, showing their support for the Northern Davao Electric Cooperative (NORDECO) as it faces a takeover attempt by the Aboitiz-backed Davao Light and Power Co. (DLPC).
The demonstration unfolds amid an ongoing legal battle following a Writ of Possession issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 2 – Tagum City.
The march highlighted the urgent need to protect NORDECO’s assets and ensure the cooperative can continue its Sitio Electrification Program (SEP)—a program that brings electricity to remote, mountainous communities often overlooked by private utilities like Davao Light, which consider these areas unprofitable.
Participants walked from Tagum National Highway to the NORDECO office in Tipaz, Magugpo East, carrying banners and chanting calls for community-focused power service. Rally organizers emphasized that NORDECO is uniquely committed to providing electricity to far-flung households where few consumers live.
“Only NORDECO has the heart to serve the mountainous communities where homes are scattered and electricity is scarce,” said one organizer.
“If not now, there may be no other time to defend NORDECO and ensure it continues providing electricity to our communities,” the group added.
In a Facebook post, NORDECO confirmed that the court ruled in favor of Davao Light, granting the company a Writ of Possession over some of NORDECO’s assets in Tagum City. The cooperative clarified that the writ only covers the four substations in Tagum City and Asuncion, and the NORDECO Tipaz Office, leaving distribution lines serving Tagum City untouched. This follows an earlier Panabo Court decision giving Davao Light possession over NORDECO’s assets in the Island Garden City of Samal (IGACOS).
NORDECO insists the orders are not final, pointing to a pending Supreme Court petition and the possibility of a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO). Zamboanga del Norte Electric Cooperative (ZANECO) General Manager and lawyer Jordanne Chan-Antonio urged members to stay calm and follow legal procedures:
“Going to court for a TRO remains an option. We can also peacefully hold our ground and protect our assets.”
The rally underlined the cooperative movement’s commitment to community-driven electricity service, particularly for areas private utilities deem unprofitable. Hundreds of NCECCO members called for continued support of NORDECO’s franchise.
Meanwhile, Davao Light urged calm and adherence to the law. In a press statement, the company highlighted its legal mandate as the sole distributor in IGACOS under Republic Act 12144, a unanimous Supreme Court decision, the writ of possession, a Provisional Certificate of Public Convenience from the ERC, and a power supply agreement with Phil-Power Ventures. Davao Light called on NORDECO to cooperate with an orderly transition and urged residents to follow official announcements to maintain a stable electricity supply.
The dispute highlights the ongoing tension between community-based cooperatives and private utilities. APEC party-list Rep. Sergio Dagooc criticized lawmakers who supported Davao Light, noting:
“Cooperatives are not purely profit-driven but community-driven,” adding that cooperative consumers nationwide represent an estimated 16 million votes.
NORDECO denied allegations of service sabotage in Samal, saying Davao Light had blocked repair teams and that some staff faced police blotter reports. Leaders from other cooperatives, including Dr. Allan L. Laniba of NAGMEC, framed the issue as a test of democratic ownership:
“Democracy is not a spectator sport. If we do not participate, we surrender it.”
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