By CHRIS V. PANGANIBAN
SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur — The Northern Davao Electric Cooperative (NORDECO) on Thursday denounced what it described as the “forcible” implementation of a writ of possession in favor of Davao Light and Power Company (DLPC) in the Island Garden City of Samal, calling the move “totally illegal” and politically motivated.
In a press statement, NORDECO said the Feb. 25 enforcement of the writ stemmed from an order issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 4 Panabo City granting DLPC’s application for a writ of possession covering areas in Samal.
The cooperative, however, argued that a motion for reconsideration remains pending, citing a Feb. 24 court order, and questioned the timing and manner of the writ’s implementation by Sheriff Jonathan E. Flores.
“What we saw was mob rule at the behest of DLPC and participated in by political leaders promoting their 2028 political agenda,” NORDECO said, accusing its rival of disregarding due process.
NORDECO maintained that a recent ruling by the Supreme Court of the Philippines granted DLPC only “operational responsibility” within its expanded franchise, not exclusive control of the area.
Citing the landmark case between the Iloilo Electric Cooperative ILECO and MORE Electric and Power Corporation, the cooperative stressed that overlapping power franchises may coexist in a single market to promote competition, in line with Section 11, Article XII of the 1987 Constitution, which states that a franchise is not exclusive in character.
“NORDECO remains a legal franchise holder and will continue to serve,” the cooperative said, assuring its member-consumer-owners that it would protect its equity, including capital contributions from local and national governments.
The Association of Mindanao Rural Electric Cooperatives (AMRECO) expressed support for NORDECO, describing the Supreme Court ruling as a “landmark victory” for the electric cooperative sector.
“This decision reinforces a vital truth: that the rule of law exists to protect the many, not just the few,” AMRECO said in a separate statement.
For its part, DLPC announced in its social media page that it has begun operations in Samal and is now ready to provide electric service to residents.
“Ang Davao Light anaa na karon sa Island Garden City of Samal aron maghatag og serbisyo alang sa inyong panginahanglan sa kuryente” (“Davao Light is now in the Island Garden City of Samal to provide services for your electricity needs”), the company said in an advisory.
DLPC said consumers may visit its service center at IGACOS Commercial Center, Inc., P-6 Sitio Kaimito, Barangay Miranda, Babak District, Island Garden City of Samal, or call 0919-057-3572 for inquiries.
“Nagpaabot kami nga makaalagad kaninyo” (“We look forward to serving you”), the advisory added.
As of posting time, tensions remain between the two power distributors as the legal dispute over franchise and service coverage continues to unfold.
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