Samal City Gears Up for Historic Power Service Transition
The Island Garden City of Samal (Igacos) is poised for a significant shift in its electricity service, moving from the Davao del Norte Electric Cooperative (Nordeco) to Davao Light and Power Company (Davao Light). Mayor Lemuel “Toto” Reyes has officially confirmed the city's preparedness for this long-awaited change, highlighting persistent power reliability concerns that have plagued residents and businesses for years.
Decades of Power Issues Prompt Transition
Speaking during a real estate and property development groundbreaking event on January 29, 2026, Mayor Reyes addressed the ongoing challenges with electricity supply, particularly in remote hinterland areas. He emphasized that frequent brownouts remain a critical issue for communities located far from the town center, disrupting daily life and economic activities.
“There are residents, especially in the mountainous areas, who often experience brownouts. It's not as common here in the lowlands, but in those upland regions, brownouts are frequent,” Reyes told reporters in an ambush interview. The mayor expressed strong local government and community support for the transition, noting his personal eagerness to facilitate the process.
Infrastructure Progress and Full Support
Mayor Reyes revealed that Davao Light has already installed its submarine cable project earlier this month, with related works currently ongoing. He offered full backing for the company's expansion efforts on the island, even encouraging proactive infrastructure installation if coordination hurdles arise.
“To Davao Light, your submarine cable is ongoing, it has already been laid. I said, you can proceed anywhere here. Install your own poles. If Nordeco does not engage in discussions, you can proceed; you have my signal to continue our development,” Reyes stated. He also remains open to participating in a roundtable discussion involving both power providers, despite Nordeco's repeated absence from previous invitations.
Legal Framework and Regulatory Backing
Davao Light has secured a Writ of Possession from the Regional Trial Court Branch 34 in Panabo City, allowing the company to take control of the power distribution system serving Igacos. This court order is part of expropriation proceedings initiated under Republic Act 12144, which expanded Davao Light's franchise to include additional areas in Davao del Norte and Davao de Oro.
“The issuance of the writ enables Davao Light to assume operational responsibility for the distribution system, ensuring safe, reliable, and uninterrupted electricity service for consumers,” said Fermin Edillon, Davao Light Reputation Head, during a briefing with the Davao Peace and Security Press Corps on January 28. Edillon stressed that the transition will adhere strictly to legal, regulatory, and operational protocols, underscoring the necessity of cooperation from the current service provider.
Earlier, the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) confirmed that Davao Light is authorized to operate in its expanded franchise areas after granting provisional authority. This clarification counters claims from Nordeco regarding uncertainties in Davao Light's mandate, reinforcing the legal basis for the transition.
