‘THE MORE, THE BETTER’: Iloilo Lawmaker Open to MORE Power Expansion

By Joseph Bernard A. Marzan

Iloilo 1st District Representative Janette Garin has expressed openness to expanding MORE Electric and Power Corporation’s (MORE Power) franchise to towns in her district following a call from a local consumer group.

Her statement was in response to a February 7, 2025 resolution from Bantay ng Bayan – 101 Association, Inc. (BNB 101), urging local officials to push for MORE Power’s entry into the 1st District.

Garin told Daily Guardian via Viber, “More providers, the better. Competition is very much welcome,” adding that “economies of scale will surely bring down the price of power.”

When asked if she was open to filing a bill for the franchise expansion, Garin had yet to respond as of this writing.

Republic Act No. 11918, which amended Republic Act No. 11212, lapsed into law on July 30, 2022, allowing MORE Power to extend its franchise beyond Iloilo City to Iloilo province’s 2nd and 4th districts.

The expansion covered the towns of 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 Iloilo Electric Cooperatives (ILECO) I, II, and III, which continue to provide electricity in their respective coverage areas.

On July 30, 2024, the Supreme Court upheld the legality of MORE Power’s franchise expansion.

A new law would be required to further extend the franchise to the 1st District, which includes the towns of Guimbal, Igbaras, Miagao, Oton, San Joaquin, Tigbauan, and Tubungan.

CALLS FOR EXPANSION

BNB 101 emphasized the need for better service and lower electricity rates, citing concerns over high power costs and service inefficiencies under Iloilo Electric Cooperative I (ILECO I).

“We, the consumers of the 1st District, deserve the same access to affordable and reliable electricity as other areas now served by MORE Power,” said Warren Biones, municipal leader of Tigbauan and spokesperson for BNB 101.

MORE Power was granted an expanded franchise under Republic Act 11918, which took effect in August 2022, allowing it to operate in 15 municipalities apart from its base in Iloilo City.

“MORE Power’s rates for residential consumers and generation charges have consistently been lower than ILECO I,” Biones said. “It is unfair that we are left out when many of us struggle with high electricity costs.”

The Supreme Court recently upheld the constitutionality of MORE Power’s expansion, ruling that ILECO’s franchise is not exclusive, paving the way for competition in Iloilo’s power distribution sector.

“With the Supreme Court’s ruling, it is clear that MORE Power can expand its services. The question now is: Why should the First District be left behind?” Biones added.

Municipal leaders from Tigbauan, San Joaquin, Guimbal, Miagao, Oton, Igbaras, and Tubungan signed the resolution, demonstrating broad public support for MORE Power’s entry into the district.

“This is not just about lowering electricity bills; it’s about giving consumers a choice. Right now, we don’t have a choice. If we see a company offering better rates and service, why shouldn’t we be allowed to avail of it?” Biones said.

The resolution formally requests Rep. Garin and local officials to explore legal options to include the 1st District in MORE Power’s franchise area.

“We are calling on our leaders to act on this. Our communities need real solutions to our energy problems, and expanding MORE Power’s service to our district is a step in the right direction,” Biones said.

Copies of the resolution have been submitted to the relevant government offices for consideration.