In a significant development affecting hundreds of workers in the Island Garden City of Samal (Igacos), Mayor Lemuel "Toto" Reyes has publicly extended assistance to employees of the Northern Davao Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Nordeco) who have lost their jobs following recent franchise changes in the power distribution sector.
Mayor's Direct Appeal to Displaced Workers
Through a Facebook post dated March 16, 2026, Mayor Reyes made a direct appeal to affected Nordeco personnel, stating: "Sa katong mga taga-Nordeco na nawad-an og trabaho, duol mo sa akoa kay atong hangyoon ang DLPC nga maka-trabaho gihapon mo (For those from Nordeco who lost their jobs, approach me so we can request DLPC to provide you with work)." This offer comes as approximately 700 Nordeco workers, many with decades of service, face uncertainty about their employment future.
Franchise Expansion Creates Employment Concerns
The employment concerns stem from Davao Light and Power Company's (Davao Light) expansion of its franchise areas into Davao del Norte and Davao de Oro, authorized by Republic Act No. 12144 which took effect in April 2025. The company cited a unanimous 2026 Supreme Court decision upholding the law's constitutionality as the basis for its authority, and a Writ of Possession issued by the Regional Trial Court–Panabo Branch 4 authorizing asset takeover in Samal.
Despite these developments, Nordeco maintains that legal proceedings remain unresolved and that Davao Light's claims of exclusive operating authority in Samal are misleading and premature. The cooperative argues its franchise remains valid and may coexist with Davao Light's under constitutional provisions, referencing previous jurisprudence involving Iloilo electric cooperatives.
Davao Light's Hiring Position
In a March 10, 2026 Facebook post, Davao Light announced it was hiring employees to support its expanding operations in the newly acquired franchise areas. The company explicitly stated: "We are open to hiring qualified applicants, including employees from Nordeco." This declaration followed the company's expansion announcement and created mixed reactions among Nordeco workers who expressed concerns about employment security and absorption guarantees.
The situation highlights the complex intersection of corporate expansion, worker displacement, and local government intervention in the Philippine power sector. Mayor Reyes's proactive approach represents a municipal-level response to employment challenges arising from regional franchise changes, while the legal dispute between the two power distributors continues to unfold with significant implications for both workers and electricity consumers in the affected regions.
