ILOILO City – MORE Electric and Power Corporation (MORE Power) is set to present before the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) today its plans and programs for the city.
MORE Power moved a step closer to replacing Panay Electric Company (PECO) as the new power distribution utility in this city. Last week it got majority votes from senators during the second reading of its franchise application to own, develop, operate, and maintain an electricity distribution system in the metro.
In a letter to Vice Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon, SP presiding officer, MORE Power president and chief executive officer Roel Castro sought City Council official time to make a presentation.
According to Castro, MORE Power wanted to formally introduce itself to the SP and “provide a summary and outline of (its) plans and programs to improve electricity distribution service in IIoilo City.”
“Everybody is welcome basta may naga-propose sa welfare sang pumuluyo (for as long as it is for people’s welfare),” said Ganzon.
The City Council presentation, according to Castro, would be an “opportunity to answer and address any questions or concerns that the Honorable City Council may have on these matters.”
“Let us hear them out. It will enable us to thoroughly study their plans and programs,” said Ganzon. “The councilors will surely be comparing notes.”
To recall, the SP expressed vehement opposition to the renewal of PECO’s franchise which is expiring on Jan. 19, 2019. It cited the various complaints of consumers:
* lack of courtesy to its host, the Iloilo City Government, when PECO did not notify and furnish it a copy of its renewal of franchise application
* history of overcharging its customers, based on cases filed by cause-oriented groups such as Freedom from Debt Coalition
* remaining balance from the P631-million overcharged fees, which the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) ordered it refunded to consumers
* poor customer service, erroneous and inconsistent meter readings
* lack of transparency in PECO operations
PECO has been monopolizing the power distribution service in Iloilo City for the past 95 years.
The SP pressed for a national government takeover of the power distribution system in the city until such time that another qualified distribution utility may come in.
MORE Power’s franchise application is expected to be passed on third and final reading once the bicameral committee settles all the issues, including the transition period from PECO to MORE Power.
In a recent statement, MORE Power majority shareholder Enrique Razon Jr. told Ilonggos, “If PECO had been doing a good job, we wouldn’t have had the opportunity to apply for this franchise and transform it into a modern, efficient, low cost and state-of-the-art distribution network.”/PN
