By Joseph B.A. Marzan
Iloilo City’s power distributor on Wednesday allayed fears of local officials that its expansion to other areas will diminish its efficiency.
The Sangguniang Panglungsod’s Committee on Public Utilities held a public hearing on Wednesday to ask for updates on MORE Electric and Power Corporation’s (MORE Power) P1.9-billion investment to improve the city’s power distribution services.
MORE Power president and COO Roel Castro presented their company’s achievements since taking over the city’s power grid in early 2020.
The distribution utility’s franchise via Republic Act No. 11212 was approved by President Rodrigo Duterte in February 2019.
The achievements Castro presented to the council included decreases in duration and frequency of power outages, illegal and pilfered connections, and systems losses; and increased number of consumers, capacity of substations, investments in facility and human capitals, and community engagement.
Castro likewise assured that MORE Power’s possible expansion into several towns of Iloilo province will not affect their operations in the city.
House Bill No. 10306 was passed in the third reading at the House of Representatives, with 182 affirmative votes, and 10 negative votes which included some party-lists from the power sector.
The bill aims to expand the company’s franchise under Rep. Act No. 11212 to neighboring towns in the second and fourth districts of Iloilo province.
The bill seeks to expand MORE Power’s existing franchise coverage into the towns of Alimodian, Leganes, New Lucena, Pavia, San Miguel, Santa Barbara, and Zarraga (2nd district), and to Anilao, Banate, Barotac Nuevo, Dingle, Dueñas, Dumangas, and San Enrique as well as Passi City (4th district).
“If in fact we are given the opportunity by Congress, definitely we will also expand our workforce. Whatever business we’ve already made for Iloilo City, we’ve actually made before. You have our assurance that there will be no disruption or delay in our plans for the city,” Castro said.
Councilor Rommel Duron expressed relief over the assurance, saying that MORE Power’s improvements in the city were already being felt since their takeover.
He also mentioned that the Energy Regulatory Commission had approved P1.3 billion of the P1.9-billion investment.
Duron on Tuesday told media that he was worried that the expansion into Iloilo province might cause a decline in the neophyte power company’s efficiency.
“Their customers have increased from 60,000 to 80,000. The systems loss has also reduced drastically from 28 percent to 9.7 percent. We have also seen our electric bills come down, that is a great relief to consumers. Although there are still brownouts, they are only for a shorter period. They promised to improve their services,” Duron told media after the hearing.
Duron said he now supports MORE Power’s proposed expansion following the presentation and assurance from the distribution utility.
