Should we worry about MORE Power’s expansion?

By Joseph B.A. Marzan

MORE Electric and Power Corporation’s (MORE Power) will try to ease the apprehension of the chairperson of the Sangguniang Panglungsod’s Committee on Public Utilities over the distribution utility’s expansion to other towns.

on Tuesday

Iloilo City Councilor Romel Duron told media on Tuesday expressed his worry that MORE Power’s expansion to Iloilo province may decrease its efficiency of service in Iloilo City.

Duron said that he would meet with the distribution firm today, Nov. 10, for updates on its P1.9-billion investments in the city.

Among other things, the committee hearing will also delve on MORE’s expansion to the 2nd and 4th congressional districts of Iloilo province via House Bill No. 10306.

The bill seeks to expand MORE Power’s existing franchise coverage into the towns of Alimodian, Leganes, New Lucena, Pavia, San Miguel, Santa Barbara, and Zarraga (2nd district), and to Anilao, Banate, Barotac Nuevo, Dingle, Dueñas, Dumangas, and San Enrique as well as Passi City (4th district).

It recently passed the House of Representatives on third reading on Monday, Nov. 8.

“They have committed investing P1.9 billion for five years, so we do not know now how much they have already invested in the past two years, so we will also look at they should be doing in the next three years,” Duron said.

Duron said that he does not personally support MORE Power’s expansion into the province, fearing that it may not be able to keep its commitments to the city.

He added that there are still some problems that MORE Power needs to solve in the city, including frequent power outages, and poles that need replacement.

“If you ask me, [I don’t support it], because that would mean that their attention would be divided. But it is up to Congress, so they should look at [MORE Power’s] capacity and capability to expand. Do they have enough money and personnel to man their expansion? They have only been here for two years,” he said.

“Their franchise is with Congress, they were given 25 years. It has only been two years. We have to look at their performance. Even if they have a franchise, Congress should consider that,” he added.

Republic Act No. 11212, MORE Power’s current franchise, was signed into law by President Rodrigo Duterte in February 2019.

A year later, between February and March 2020, MORE Power took over the operations of Iloilo City’s long-time power provider, Panay Electric Company.

As to the lower house vote, 182 voted in favor of HB No. 10306 and 10 voted against the bill.

Notable “No” votes came from power sector party-lists, including Philippine Rural Electric Cooperatives Association (PHILRECA), Association of Philippine Electric Cooperatives (APEC), Rural Electric Consumers and Beneficiaries of Development and Advancement (RECOBODA) and Ako Padayon Pilipino.

During deliberations on the bills, representatives from the Iloilo Electric Cooperatives I, II, and III expressed their opposition to the bill.