House bill seeks MORE Power expansion in Iloilo

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

An Ilonggo lawmaker has filed a bill seeking to expand the franchise of MORE Electric and Power Corp. (MORE Power) to the towns of Iloilo’s 1st District, including Igbaras, Tubungan, Oton, Tigbauan, Guimbal, Miag-ao and San Joaquin.

Iloilo 1st District Rep. Janette Garin filed House Bill 6292 on Monday, Nov. 24.

The measure aims to amend provisions of Republic Act 11212, as amended by RA 11918, which currently grants MORE Power a distribution utility franchise for Iloilo City and other areas including Passi City and several towns in Iloilo’s 2nd and 4th districts.

Garin said in her explanatory note that electricity is an essential service that lights homes, streets, offices, hospitals, schools, factories, malls and hotels, and powers industries that provide convenience, jobs and business opportunities.

She cited MORE Power’s performance in reducing electric rates in Iloilo City within five years since the private firm took over the operation, rehabilitation and expansion of the city’s distribution system.

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She also noted MORE Power’s expansion of electrical connections for city residents and its continuous rehabilitation and improvement of aging and deteriorated distribution facilities from the previous operator.

“We feel that such service, marked by the highest standards, and which has been proven to be fast, reliable, responsive, modern and forward looking, should also be made available to Ilonggos living outside Iloilo City,” Garin said.

She added that while the 1st District is currently served by ILECO 1, a Supreme Court decision upholding MORE Power’s expanded franchise allows the company to operate in the district as well.

“Public interest will be better served if we allow competition that will give Ilonggos living in the 1st District of Iloilo Province a choice to avail of the benefit from the services of a modern, dependable, cheap, and efficient electric power distribution system offered by MORE Power to Iloilo City residents,” she said.

Garin said MORE Power’s authority to serve more areas beyond its original franchise will help “jump start the progress in the nearby parts of Iloilo Province.”

The deputy speaker previously expressed openness to expanding MORE Power’s coverage to her district, telling Daily Guardian in February, “More providers, the better.”

A local group, Bantay ng Bayan – 101 Association Inc. (BNB 101), earlier passed a Feb. 7 resolution urging 1st District officials to push for MORE Power’s entry.