Tycoon sees power, freight business expansions in Iloilo

By Joseph B.A. Marzan

One of the country’s top business tycoons wants to expand his empire in the city and province of Iloilo, Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas said on Wednesday.

Enrique Razon bared his vision for Iloilo when he visited the city and province on Sept 6, 2022. He met with Treñas, Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr., and other leaders and members of the business and political spheres.

Razon is at the helm of many of the country’s top companies including Iloilo City’s power distributor MORE Electric and Power Corp (MORE Power)

In a post on his Facebook page, Treñas said that they talked about fostering greater collaborations to bring the best service to Ilonggos.

He told Daily Guardian on Wednesday that this included the expansion of MORE Power to the 2^nd and 4^th districts in the province of Iloilo.

They also discussed the International Container Terminals Services, Incorporated’s (ICTSI) unsolicited proposal to the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) for the modernization of the Iloilo International Port in Lapuz district, as well as helping the city through their water-borne disease outbreak.

ICTSI currently manages, operates, and develops the Manila International Container Terminal, as well as 14 other ports in the country through subsidiaries, and other ports worldwide.

“[Razon] talked about the expansion of [MORE Power]. They also have an application for an unsolicited proposal for the PPA. It would be of great help if they could modernize the [Iloilo] International Port. He is also looking at how Manila Water could help with our water problem,” the mayor said in a phone interview.

“They also have plans to dabble on renewable energy because of the rising price of coal,” he added.

Treñas expressed happiness over his discussions with Razon, who is just among the top tycoons who have been investing in the city.

He mentioned that he and the city council will also meet with Manny V. Pangilinan (MVP) Groups’ Metro Pacific Iloilo Water (MPIW) regarding the city’s cholera and gastroenteritis outbreak.

“I’m very happy because [Razon] is one of the most aggressive investors in Iloilo City. We already have MVP for our water and power. [On Thursday], I have a schedule together with the city council for our water situation with Metro Pacific and their plans and programs. SM and Megaworld are very active here, and Ayala will be moving up with their expansion programs in several areas,” he stated.

“Iloilo is moving very fast, and we just have to make sure that while we are moving fast, that all the requirements, water, power, hospital care, and other needs, are readily available,” the mayor added.

Razon is known not only for MORE Power and ICTSI but also for the Manila Water Corporation which is the private concessionaire of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewage System providing water to the east zone of Metro Manila and Rizal province, Bloomberry Resorts Corporation which owns the Solaire Hotel and Casino in Pasay City.