‘The real power in this debate lies not just in wires or statutes, but in how deeply citizens wish for something as basic, and as essential, as light without interruption.’
Atectonic shift in Davao’s power distribution landscape is underway, set in motion by the silent lapsing into law of Republic Act No. 12144 last April.
The measure expands the franchise area of Davao Light and Power Company (DLPC), encroaching on Northern Davao Electric Cooperative Inc. (NORDECO)’s long-held turf in Davao del Norte and Davao de Oro.
On paper, the law intends to bring reprieve to communities beset by decades of erratic power supply.
In practice, however, it has sparked a legal clash now before the Supreme Court — its resolution fraught with constitutional questions and economic implications.
NORDECO, whose service area has long been criticized for outages and voltage instability, finds itself at the center of growing public impatience.
Tourism-dependent Samal Island, for instance, estimates annual revenue losses of up to P150 million due to power interruptions.
A broader accounting reveals further losses across industries and households — damaged appliances alone tally close to P50 million.
These numbers speak volumes, but personal stories resonate more quietly.
A few summers ago, I brought my family and friends to a resort in Samal. The beach, the breeze, the bond — we had it all, except power.
That evening, the lights went out mid-dinner, and by morning, my children, frustrated and warm, nudged their mother and me to abandon the plan and head for Davao City.
We spent the rest of our vacation in the city rather than on the island. That shift, though simple, mirrored what many residents feel: that patience, like electricity, has its limits.
Truly, this wave of discontent has built public momentum.
A recent survey conducted by the Davao Consumer Movement between April 20 and 26 recorded overwhelming support for DLPC’s entry — 97.5% in Davao del Norte cited reliability, lower rates, and better service as key reasons.
Congress, armed with legal precedent from MORE Electric vs. Panay Electric, argues that legislative franchises are not sacrosanct — they must yield to the greater public good. RA 12144, say its proponents, honors this mandate.
Yet NORDECO, citing due process violations and the sanctity of its valid franchises until 2028 and 2033, filed a petition with the Supreme Court.
NORDECO’s prayer for a Temporary Restraining Order places the transition in limbo, leaving investors and local stakeholders to wait and watch.
Whether the High Court affirms Congress’s authority or reins it in, one truth holds: electricity, or the lack of it, has long shaped lives and livelihoods in Davao.
The real power in this debate lies not just in wires or statutes, but in how deeply citizens wish for something as basic, and as essential, as light without interruption.
