The ongoing discussions around a potential joint venture agreement (JVA) between MORE Electric and Power Corp. (MORE Power) and the Iloilo Electric Cooperatives (ILECOs) present a critical moment for the people of Iloilo.

As mayors from various districts express their support for this partnership, it becomes increasingly evident that the time has come for the ILECOs to reevaluate their position and prioritize the interests of their consumer-owners over their institutional pride.

The lessons from the Central Negros Electric Cooperative, Inc. (CENECO) are clear: a well-negotiated JVA can offer a lifeline to struggling cooperatives, ensuring the continuity of service, preserving jobs, and most importantly, protecting the consumer’s right to reliable and affordable electricity.

CENECO’s decision to partner with Primelectric Holdings Inc./Negros Electric Power Corp. (NEPC) was not an easy one and was premised on a different situation, but it was a necessary move that helped the cooperative overcome financial difficulties and modernize its infrastructure.

ILECOs must take note of this precedent. The recent Supreme Court ruling, which affirmed that electric cooperatives do not hold a constitutional right to an exclusive franchise, underscores the importance of competition in the energy sector.

The entry of another player like MORE Power could very well be the catalyst needed to drive down electricity costs and improve service quality across the province. For the cooperatives to continue resisting this change is to disregard the very people they claim to serve.

Some mayors of Iloilo have wisely advocated for a partnership that would avoid the economic disruption of layoffs and ensure that the transition is as seamless as possible.

Yet, this call for collaboration should not be driven solely by local politicians. The ILECOs must recognize that their true accountability lies with the consumers—the member-owners of the cooperatives. It is their satisfaction, their quality of service, and their economic well-being that should be at the forefront of any decision-making process.

In the end, it is not the bureaucrats or the cooperatives’ boards that will determine the fate of these entities—it is the consumers. Their voices, their choices, will decide whether the ILECOs thrive or fade into obsolescence. This is not a time for playing hardball; it is a time for open dialogue, for learning from the experiences of others, and for making decisions that truly reflect the needs and desires of the community.

The ILECOs would do well to heed the advice of CENECO General Manager Arnel Lapore: engage in open, transparent discussions with all stakeholders, including the consumers themselves. Only through such engagement can the cooperatives hope to find a path forward that honors their legacy while embracing the future.

The clock is ticking. The power lies in the hands of the consumers, and it is their interests that must guide the decisions ahead. The ILECOs should act not out of fear of competition, but out of a genuine commitment to better serve their member-owners. In this crucial moment, the ILECOs have the opportunity to shape their destiny in a way that benefits all. Let them not squander it.