ILOILO City — The Senate approved on second reading the expansion bill of MORE Electric and Power Corporation (MORE Power), Iloilo City’s sole power distributor.
Once passed into law, House Bill 10306, which seeks to amend Republic Act No. 11212 or the legislative franchise granted to MORE Power, will allow the power firm to expand its service coverage to the second and fourth districts of Iloilo province.
The approval of the bill on second reading came after a thorough interpellation and discussion of the senators on Monday which lasted for almost two hours.
Several amendments on the bill were also introduced and approved.
For one, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian raised question on the possible effect of the entry of MORE Power to 15 towns and Passi City which are currently under the franchise area of Iloilo Electric Cooperative (Ileco). These areas are Alimodian, Leganes, Leon, New Lucena, Pavia, San Miguel, Santa Barbara, Zarraga, Anilao, Banate, Barotac Nuevo, Dingle, Dueñas, Dumangas, San Enrique, and Passi City.
He specifically raised the possibility of higher electricity rates in these towns especially for those who will not join MORE Power. He noted that several customers may transfer to MORE Power if the latter will offer lower rates and better service.
But Sen. Ralph Recto emphasized that MORE Power’s entry offer competition and the consumers will ultimately benefit from this because they have options.
MORE Power president Roel Castro, in an interview after the passage of the expansion bill on second reading, stressed that what sparked the expansion of their franchise are the consumers themselves, specifically their clamor for better service and lower rates especially that they have seen how MORE Power is doing.
“As a public utility, we cannot turn our back on this. May obligation tayo and if people are wanting to receive our service then we cannot deny that, it is within the franchise law,” said Castro.
Moreover, on his part, Recto emphasized that Ileco should not be threatened by the entry of MORE Power because if their services are better, their consumers will not transfer to MORE Power.
He added that the bigger challenge will be more on MORE Power if they can get costumers and how they can have a return of their planned P1.5-billion investment.
He added that it will be a risk on their part and they will surely do everything to lower the power rates in their proposed expansion areas which can benefit the consumers.
Rector further said other consumers also should not be worried if they are not covered by the expansion of MORE Power because there could be a possible talk on the possible Joint Venture Agreement between MORE Power and Ileco.
The legislators expressed confidence that government agencies like the Energy Regulatory Commission, National Electrification Administration, Department of Energy as well as Congress are there to make sure that the welfare of the consumers must prevail above all.
Ilonggo senator Franklin Drilon and Recto emphasized that it was not included in the expansion bill to expropriate the assets of Ileco because they have their own franchise.
Castro also echoed this. He emphasized that the intention is not to take over Ileco.
“Ang intention nito is we will establish our facilities, we will bring in our services, we will try to bring in the best cost that we can offer to our consumers and let the consumers choose,” Castro emphasized.
If their expansion bill will be approved, Castro assured that they are ready to mobilize which include facilities, personnel and even the processes.
“Our preparations is now getting into specifics na and once ma-approve, definitely we will be mobilizing and we will give our roll out programs and plans sa mga areas para alam nila,” said Castro.
If Castro were to ask, he would like to do it in a collaborative approach with Ileco.
“Kasi at the end of the day, ang makikinabang is really the consumers. From my perspective, hindi ko gusto na pag-aawayan natin ang consumers. We are willing to collaborate. In some points, I will extend our hand kung paano kami magtutulunga for the benefit of the consumers,” he added.
Castro assured that if there will be an expansion, MORE Power will not change as far as the level of service in Iloilo City is concerned.
House Bill 10306 is now up for third and final reading in the Senate wherein the legislators are expected to vote for the approval of the bill.
Once approved in the third final reading, this will be submitted to Malacañang for the signature of President Rodrigo Duterte before his term ends on June 30, finally making it into a law./PN
