MORE Power says expansion in first district is viable

By Mariela Angella Oladive

MORE Electric and Power Corp. (MORE Power) president and CEO Roel Castro said the company is ready to expand its franchise area as Congress begins deliberations on a proposal to extend its coverage to seven municipalities in Iloilo’s first district.

Castro said the company has completed a market study and submitted its expansion plan to lawmakers ahead of the first committee hearing scheduled for December 9.

“I wouldn’t say that our market study was done haphazardly; we already have the macro numbers, and we submitted our plan to Congress as part of the required documents… based on these, it is viable,” Castro said at a press conference on December 5.

“If Congress approves, we are willing, and we will ensure that we fulfill all the obligations of the franchise,” he added.

The expansion bid follows the filing of House Bill 6292 by Iloilo 1st District Rep. Janette Garin on November 24.

The bill seeks to amend MORE Power’s existing franchise under Republic Act 11212, as amended by RA 11918, which currently authorizes the company to serve Iloilo City, Passi City, and several towns in the province’s 2nd and 4th districts.

If passed, HB 6292 would allow MORE Power to extend services to the municipalities of Igbaras, Tubungan, Oton, Tigbauan, Guimbal, Miag-ao, and San Joaquin — areas currently served by Iloilo Electric Cooperative I (ILECO I).

In her explanatory note, Garin described electricity as an “essential service” powering homes, institutions, and industries. She cited MORE Power’s success in lowering electric rates in Iloilo City within five years of taking over and rehabilitating the city’s power distribution system.

Castro acknowledged concerns about increased competition among existing distributors if the expansion proceeds.

“If we have been able to provide this kind of service in Iloilo — not perfect, but good enough for residents, business owners, and city officials to acknowledge the improvement — then why not offer it outside Iloilo City in the most legal way? If that pushes others to improve, I’m fine with that. In the end, it’s the consumers who will decide,” he said.

Under the country’s current framework, electricity distribution is typically handled by a single franchised utility per defined service area, whether a private utility or an electric cooperative.

Meanwhile, MORE Power has begun operations under its expanded franchise with the energization of the University of St. La Salle–Iloilo Campus in Barangay Maliao, Pavia — its first customer outside Iloilo City.

The connection followed the Energy Regulatory Commission’s approval of the company’s Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity two weeks earlier.

Castro described the milestone as “historic,” noting it marks the first implementation of an overlapping franchise in the country and signals the start of a broader service rollout in the province.

He said the company is identifying additional sites for future substations.

For now, the Jaro substation will serve the eastern seaboard, while the Megaworld substation will handle accounts from Pavia.

Castro said the company had previously limited its activities to primary line installations while awaiting regulatory approval but is now proceeding with wider distribution line development and engaging prospective customers in the expansion areas.