POWERING NEW GROUNDS: MORE Power to start expansion of services in Pavia

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

MORE Electric and Power Corp. (MORE Power) is set to expand its electricity distribution services beyond Iloilo City, starting with the nearby town of Pavia in Iloilo’s 2nd District.

Atty. Elizabeth Dyhn Cabunagan, MORE Power’s legal officer, said the firm has already installed power poles and primary lines in Pavia and is awaiting energization.

She said the process will begin once the company secures a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) from the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) and obtains other operational permits.

“Once we are issued a CPCN, we will start energizing the Pavia area, and we will then roll out our services in the entire franchise areas covered by the expansion within four to five years,” Cabunagan said on June 16.

In August 2024, the Sangguniang Bayan of Pavia passed a resolution urging MORE Power to begin operations in the town and explore a joint venture with ILECO I.

The company expects to be granted a CPCN this year, with a final hearing scheduled in June.

“Hopefully, we expect that within this year, we will be issued [a CPCN] since there are no more obstacles for the ERC to issue the certificate, because the expanded franchise of MORE Power is valid and constitutional,” Cabunagan added.

A CPCN is a regulatory requirement for electricity distributors, ensuring qualified service and safeguarding the public’s interest in reliability, safety, environmental standards and fair pricing.

Cabunagan said MORE Power filed for a CPCN in 2022 following the passage of Republic Act No. 11918.

RA 11918 amended the firm’s original franchise under RA 11212, authorizing it to operate beyond Iloilo City.

The law extended MORE Power’s franchise to include Alimodian, Anilao, Banate, Barotac Nuevo, Dingle, Dueñas, Dumangas, Leganes, Leon, New Lucena, Pavia, San Enrique, San Miguel, Santa Barbara, Zarraga and Passi City.

These areas are currently served by ILECO I and ILECO II.

As part of its expansion, MORE Power aims to modernize infrastructure, offer competitive electricity rates and deliver enhanced customer service.

“We will introduce modern facilities, aim to lower or offer competitive rates, and bring the MORE Power brand of excellent customer service to potential consumers in these areas,” Cabunagan said.

She clarified that towns currently served by ILECO may still choose to retain the cooperative, as the expanded franchise and recent Supreme Court ruling do not revoke existing franchises.

“It promotes competition between distribution utilities,” she said.

“The involvement of MORE Power is for the common good. It would redound to the benefit of the consumers who have the option.”

The Supreme Court recently upheld the constitutionality of RA 11918 in a final ruling issued on May 20, 2025, and received on June 13.