The Davao Light and Power Company (Davao Light) has explained that the bill seeking to expand its franchise area, once approved, is not meant to take over the Northern Davao Electric Cooperative (NORDECO) but to partner with the electric cooperative.

Once the law is passed, the service area currently under NORDECO, including Davao del Norte and some parts of Davao de Oro, will be covered by the Davao Light.

“We really want to partner with Nordeco kung ma-pass man gyud ni siya dili namo tumong nga automatically i-displace sila o have attention provided in the bill is to look at their existing employees we will prioritize the hiring within the organization the suppliers they will be given priority and reference dili ni take over in a way kuan ni siya partnership, more partnership,” Davao Light Head, Engr. Enriczar Tia, said.

Early this month, NORDECO staged a protest rally in Tagum City against the bill.

NORDECO said power rates will likely increase once Davao Light serves as electric distributor, which the latter denied.

NORDECO earlier said a letter has already been sent to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., citing legal concerns of the bill and its effect to the economy.

It can be recalled that the same bill has already been passed previously but it was vetoed by the president.

The legislative measure has been pushed again following several complaints from consumers about the alleged poor service of NORDECO.

“Mao man gyud atong tumong diba who would not want kanang maayo nga serbisyo cheaper power and more reliable power for us to be able to help develop our cities and communities,” Tia added.