ILOILO City — The House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading a bill expanding the franchise of MORE Electric and Power Corporation (MORE Power) to cover the municipalities of Iloilo’s 1st District, a move supporters say could bring faster and more reliable electricity services to southern Iloilo.
Authored by Cong. Janette Garin, the measure was passed during the House session on Tuesday last week and will now be transmitted to the Senate for consideration.
The approval came after Cong. Jeffrey Ferrer, chair of the House Committee on Legislative Franchises, presented the panel’s favorable recommendation to the plenary.
House Bill 7647 seeks to amend Sections 11, 16, and 21 of Republic Act No. 11212, as previously amended by Republic Act No. 11918. The original law granted MORE Power a franchise to establish, operate, and maintain an electric power distribution system in Iloilo City and Iloilo Province’s 2nd and 4th districts.
During the plenary vote, the bill received overwhelming support, with 247 lawmakers voting in favor, four opposing, and none abstaining.
If enacted, the measure would allow MORE Power to expand its services to the municipalities of Igbaras, Tubungan, Oton, Tigbauan, Guimbal, Miag-ao, and San Joaquin.
These municipalities are currently served by Iloilo I Electric Cooperative, Inc.
Garin emphasized that the 1987 Constitution clearly states that franchises for public utilities should not be exclusive, a principle that has also been affirmed by the Supreme Court.
She added that the local government units in the 1st District have already passed resolutions urging Congress to expand MORE Power’s franchise coverage so their constituents can benefit from improved electricity services.
“The respective towns in the 1st District of Iloilo Province have passed resolutions requesting assistance in passing a measure that would allow them to be covered by MORE Power’s franchise area,” Garin said.
“This would enable their residents to benefit from the fast, reliable, and modern electric power distribution services that MORE Power has been known to deliver,” she added.
Supporters said the proposed expansion could help spur economic growth not only in Iloilo City but also in neighboring municipalities across the province./PN
