Iloilo: A bill has been introduced in the House of Representatives advocating for the expansion of More Electric and Power Corporation (MORE Power) in the first district of Iloilo. Iloilo 1st District Rep. Janette Garin officially filed House Bill 6292, aiming to expand the franchise to seven municipalities - Igbaras, Tubungan, Oton, Tigbauan, Guimbal, Miag-ao, and San Joaquin - with the Bills and Index Service of the House of Representatives on Monday.
According to Philippines News Agency, Garin's explanatory note stated that the bill aims to amend specific provisions of Republic Act 11212, as amended by RA 11918, which currently grants MORE Power the authority to operate as a distribution utility in Iloilo City and parts of the second and fourth districts of the province, including Passi City. The proposed expansion will allow MORE Power 'to establish, operate, and maintain, for commercial purposes and in the public interest, a distribution system for the conveyance of electric power to end users in the first district.'
Garin mentioned that the Energy Regulatory Commission recently granted MORE Power a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) for its expanded franchise areas in Passi City and the towns of Alimodian, Leganes, Leon, New Lucena, Pavia, San Miguel, Santa Barbara, Zarraga, Anilao, Banate, Barotac Nuevo, Dingle, Due±as, Dumangas, and San Enrique. She noted that since taking over the distribution system in Iloilo City over five years ago, the power utility has rehabilitated facilities and expanded its customers from 63,000 to over 100,000.
'In that short period, MORE Power has reduced electric rates in Iloilo City from among the highest in the country to among the lowest,' Garin said. The bill is supported by resolutions from concerned municipalities urging Garin's office to push for the legislation. Garin stated that the requests reflect the local leaders' and residents' desire to benefit from the 'fast, reliable, responsive, modern, and forward-looking services' that the distribution utility is known for. The Iloilo 1 Electric Cooperative currently serves the first district towns.
