BY IME SORNITO and ADRIAN STEWART CO
MANILA – Now that President Rodrigo Duterte approved the measure granting MORE Electric and Power Corp. (MORE Power) a legislative franchise to distribute power in Iloilo City for 25 years, corporation president Roel Castro looks forward to having smooth transition talks with Panay Electric Company (PECO).
Councilors Plaridel Nava and Joshua Alim – who represented Ilonggos at Congress for the MORE Power takeover – both confirmed yesterday that the President signed the franchise on Friday.
Castro told Panay News that he heard about this from his sources but the Malacañang has yet to inform him officially.
“The franchise was signed by the President yesterday. We got that information from different sources but we haven’t received official transmittal yet,” Castro said.
He added that he will reach out to the Malacañang on Monday for further verification.
“Actually there were about three or four sources who informed me. However, I still want the official transmittal,” Castro said.
MORE Power’s franchise will take effect 15 days after its publication in a newspaper of general circulation.
During this period, Castro said he wants to start the transition talks with PECO, whose franchise expired on Jan. 19.
“I hope that we can already come to the table with the existing franchise holders so that we could discuss the transition for the assurance of the consumers,” he added.
According to Castro, MORE Power and PECO officials have yet to start the transition talks.
“I’m hoping and praying that the other side will soften their hearts,” said Castro.
He also appealed to power consumers to bear with them should the transition start, adding that it is a “big task.”
Meanwhile, Nava said Duterte signing MORE Power’s franchise is a “victory for the City of Iloilo.”
“Finally we will be freed from the bondage of PECO’s abuses and arrogance,” he added.
Alim, meanwhile, said: “Thank you Lord so much for You have sustained us in our fight against the abusive and arrogant monopoly.”
PECO has applied for renewal of its franchise. But House Bill No. 6023 submitted in July last year remains stuck in the House of Representatives’ Committee on Legislative Franchises.
Meanwhile, the franchise application of its rival MORE Power (House Bill No. 8302) submitted on Aug. 22, 2018 was approved by the House within two months on Oct. 8, 2018.
The Senate Committee on Public Services chaired by Sen. Grace Poe approved in principle the measure on Oct. 22. The Senate approved it in third and final reading on Nov. 26./PN
