Miagao SB backs MORE Power franchise expansion to district

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

The Sangguniang Bayan of Miagao has approved a resolution supporting the expansion of MORE Electric and Power Corp.’s franchise to cover the entire First District of Iloilo, acting on a formal request from Mayor Richard Garin.

During its second regular session on July 15, the council unanimously adopted SB Resolution B 2025-010 urging 1st District Rep. Janette Garin to initiate legislative action for the inclusion of Miagao—and eventually the whole district—within MORE Power’s service coverage.

Mayor Garin emphasized that access to affordable, reliable, and modern electricity is a basic right that should be extended to all residents of the district.

“The expansion is not merely a business matter but a crucial step toward uplifting the living standards and opportunities for the people of Iloilo’s First District,” he said in his letter dated July 3, addressed to the SB Presiding Officer.

The resolution comes amid growing local sentiment in favor of transitioning from the current electric cooperative, Iloilo I Electric Cooperative Inc. (ILECO I), to MORE Power, citing better rates and service quality.

“Residents and consumers of the 1st District are entitled to fair and competitive access to reliable and affordable electricity services,” the resolution stated.

“It is the collective desire of the constituents to benefit from the same improved quality of service currently enjoyed by consumers in areas already served by MORE Power,” it added.

SB Member Carlu Napulan, chair of the Committee on Public Utilities, Information, and Communication, authored the resolution and argued that the move is rooted in long-term community development.

He pointed to key differences in performance between MORE Power and ILECO I, particularly in service efficiency and pricing.

In July 2025, MORE Power recorded the lowest residential electricity rate in Western Visayas at PHP10.61 per kilowatt-hour—significantly lower than ILECO I’s PHP12.05 per kilowatt-hour rate.

Napulan also noted that MORE Power provides better customer service, modern infrastructure, and quicker response to outages.

He added that the resolution is “the first step toward a future where residents no longer suffer from frequent outages, slow service response, and high power bills.”

The effort to shift franchise coverage follows a landmark Supreme Court ruling upholding Republic Act No. 11918, which allowed MORE Power to expand its franchise beyond Iloilo City into 15 municipalities and Passi City.

The Court denied with finality the motions for reconsideration filed by the Philippine Rural Electric Cooperatives Association, ILECO I, and related groups, effectively affirming that electric cooperatives do not hold a constitutional right to exclusive franchise areas.

This legal victory cleared the way for MORE Power to pursue operations in areas previously under ILECO’s jurisdiction.

The Garins’ call for legislative action could potentially make Miagao the next town to formally request transition into MORE Power’s network.

MORE Power is already preparing to enter additional areas such as Pavia in the 2nd District, where it has existing poles and infrastructure in place.

The company confirmed that it is awaiting the Energy Regulatory Commission’s Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN), which would allow it to begin operations in the newly covered municipalities.

The final hearing for the CPCN was completed in June, and regulatory approval is expected before the end of the year.