ILOILO City – Many has been said and done but the truth is: MORE Electric and Power Corp. (MORE Power) is the legitimate power distributor here.
The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) granted it a provisional Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) on March 5, 2020.
“Now, who’s
lying?” asked MORE Power president and chief operating officer Roel Z. Castro.
Through the agency’s official website, ERC chairperson and chief executive officer
(CEO) Agnes Devanadera stressed, “The Commission issued the Provisional
Authority (PA) (to MORE Power) to protect consumer’s interest by ensuring
uninterrupted electric service to consumers in Iloilo City and prevent chaos
and confusion among said customers as to who is authorized to operate the distribution
system in the area.”
“This is merely
an affirmation of what we have previously declared, the CPCN is now in our
hands,” said Castro.
The grant of the PA to MORE Power has effectively revoked the provisional CPCN
that ERC granted to Panay Electric Co. (PECO), the former electric power
franchisee in the city.
According to
Devanadera, with the ERC’s issuance of a PA to MORE Power, it should now be
clear that the latter is the bona fide and legitimate distribution utility (DU)
in Iloilo City. As such, MORE Power is authorized to implement the last
approved distribution charges to Iloilo City consumers.
On March 16, RRC released a copy of its 18-page Order, unanimously signed by three
present commissioners and Chairman Devanadera.
The ERC order stated that:
“PECO has been claiming that MORE (Power) has expropriated only a portion of its distribution assets. PECO has also been publicly stating that it is still operating as the DU in Iloilo City, and telling consumers therein that they should continue to pay their electric bills to PECO. These claims on the part of PECO have sown confusion among consumers and these could lead to dangerous situations. Paying to the wrong entity could create legal problems for the consumers while consulting the wrong personnel to address electricity concerns could pose serious threats to their safety.
“The Commission must protect Iloilo City’s consumers from power interruptions, confusions and possible chaos that may arise should possession and control of the distribution assets be lodged in the entity and yet the operation and control is lodged in another.”
“Wherefore, mindful of its mandates to protect consumer interest, ensure uninterrupted electric service to consumers in Iloilo City, prevent chaos and confusion and promote order, the Commission hereby resolves to adopt the following resolutions:
1. Revoke the provisional CPCN issued to PECO after determining that MORE (Power) has established or acquired its own distribution system and verified MORE’s complete transition to full operations;
2. Issue a Provisional Authority, pursuant to Sec. 8 of EO 172, authorizing MORE (Power) to operate the distribution network;
3. Authorize MORE (Power) to implement the last approved distribution charges of PECO; and
4. Require MORE (Power) to source and procure its power requirements in accordance with Section 5 of Republic Act 11212 (MORE Power’s franchise law). While MORE (Power) is unable to secure the Certificate of Exemption from the Department of Energy (DOE) necessary to enter into emergency power supply agreements, it shall source its power requirements from the current power generation suppliers of PECO.
Castro said Devanadera’s statements posted in the ERC website were clear and beyond question.
“MORE Power,” enunciated Castro, “cannot and will not lie. We adhere to our principle of being a transparent, honest and reliable service provider no matter what legal battles we may be facing.”
The CPCN, he stressed, “is a tangible proof that we are the legitimate and sole power distributor in Iloilo City.”
“I do hope Ilonggo power consumers will not be fooled or misled by wrong information peddled by some ‘instigators’ whose mission is to sow intrigues and lies,” said Castro.
As to the claim of PECO that the legal battle is not yet over as it is exhausting all legal remedies to regain control of its properties, Castro said, “It is clear that they do not have a franchise and now their provisional CPCN has been revoked.”
“Such is their right and we respect it, the same way we ask that they respect the orders of the tribunals,” he added.
But as far as MORE Power is concerned, “everything we do is always anchored on the truth,” said Castro.
MORE Power is a corporation bound to do and adhere to what is right, legal and just, he concluded./PN
