Electric coops need to be fixed first, says Iloilo dad

By Joseph Bernard A. Marzan

The chairperson of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Iloilo’s committee overseeing public utilities suggested on Friday, September 20, that the province’s electric cooperatives should be given a chance to fix their issues, nixing the idea of a joint venture with the Iloilo City’s current power distributor.

While not stating his clear position, Board Member Ramon Sullano (Philippine Councilors’ League-Iloilo Chapter) expressed to Daily Guardian on Air on Friday cited an incompatibility in the management structures of the Iloilo Electric Cooperatives (ILECOs) and MORE Electric Power Corporation (MORE Power).

The three ILECOs (I, II, and III) are organized with a cooperative structure, with its consumers comprising its ownership and membership, while MORE Power is a private corporation led by a board organized following existing corporation laws.

He remarked that electric cooperatives may be run well if current power industry issues are fixed with proper management.

“There are just some problems stemming from the EPIRA Law, the ERC, and the generation of the NGCP. That’s just it. If we can establish [the problems], and the electric cooperatives can be managed, it would be run better,” Sullano said.

“Electric cooperatives have an advantage because they are tax-free, but corporations have to pay [taxes]. There are better benefits if the cooperatives have better management,” he added.

Sullano, who chairs the Transportation, Communications, and Public Utilities committee, held a joint hearing with the Barangay Affairs committee headed by Board Member Amalia Victoria Debuque (Liga Ng mga Barangay-Iloilo Chapter) last Wednesday, September 18.

This joint hearing inquired into rising power prices by the ILECOs as compared to MORE Power’s rates in the city, stemming from a privilege speech delivered by Board Member Rolito Cajilig (2nd district) in their September 10, 2024 session.

An additional distribution line to Iloilo from the power grid facilities Negros was suggested during the hearing, and he said that they have required local energy stakeholders to submit position papers on the matter before making any further recommendations.