By CHRIS V. PANGANIBAN
SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur—The Northern Davao Electric Cooperative Employees Care and Welfare Association (NECWA) has rebuked Island Garden City of Samal (IGACOS) Mayor Lemuel Reyes, who offered assistance to displaced employees by urging them to “seek help” from his office.
On March 16, Reyes posted on social media offering to appeal to Davao Light and Power Company (DLPC) to provide job opportunities for the former Nordecoemployees. “To those from Nordeco who lost their jobs, come to me, and I will ask DLPC to offer you work,” Reyes said.
While the mayor’s gesture was seen as a step toward supporting the workers, NECWA expressed concerns that it missed the larger issue. The association emphasized that Nordeco employees were not in need of charity before the franchise transfer. “They had stable jobs and were integral in providing essential services to the communities of Samal, Davao del Norte, and Davao de Oro,” said NECWA.
NECWA argued that the workers’ displacement was the direct result of political decisions and that temporary assistance does not address the underlying cause. “This situation is a consequence of political decisions, and what workers need is long-term accountability, not just temporary relief,” the association stated.
Mayor Reyes defended his offer, stating that he understood the workers’ challenges and was committed to helping them find new jobs with Davao Light. “I am doing my best to ensure they have opportunities for employment,” Reyes said.
NECWA, while recognizing the mayor’s goodwill, insists that the displaced workers deserve justice, job security, and respect. The association called for public officials to take responsibility for the decisions that led to the workers’ job loss.
“Workers are not asking for favors. They are demanding fairness, dignity, and accountability,” NECWA concluded.
Both parties agree on the need to support displaced workers, but the disagreement highlights the tension between political decisions, public service, and the impact on ordinary workers.
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