ILOILO — The proposed expansion of MORE Electric and Power Corporation (MORE Power) into parts of Iloilo province is already legally settled, according to Cong. Janette Garin (1st District) on Friday, citing a previous Supreme Court ruling and a law amending the company’s franchise, even as she pressed Iloilo Electric Cooperative 1 (Ileco 1) to lower rates or risk losing congressional support.
Speaking at a press conference, Garin said the High Court has upheld the legality of MORE Power’s expanded franchise under Republic Act 11918 back in 2022, which allows the private utility to operate beyond Iloilo City and serve 15 municipalities and Passi City in the 2nd an d 4th districts.
She added that opposition to the planned expansion of MORE Power to the 1st District should now focus on consumer welfare, particularly electricity rates, rather than legal arguments.
Assurance to Ileco 1 workers
Addressing concerns from Ileco 1, Garin said MORE Power has committed not to displace cooperative employees should the expansion proceed in the 1st District.
“Wala sang madulaan trabaho,” she said, adding that the company has assured that Ileco 1 workers may be absorbed with the same salary, rank, and benefits.
Bill withdrawal possible if rates drop
Garin said she is willing to withdraw House Bill 6292, which seeks to formalize MORE Power’s entry into her district, if Ileco 1 can substantially reduce electricity rates.
She noted that consumers are currently paying around P2 per kilowatt-hour in additional charges, which she described as a significant and avoidable burden.
“If Ileco 1 brings down its rates, I am willing to withdraw the bill,” Garin said. “Consumers deserve the most affordable option.”
LGU backing cited
The lawmaker disclosed that seven municipalities in the 1st District have already passed resolutions supporting MORE Power’s entry, saying these endorsements prompted her to file the measure.
“The push did not come from me,” Garin said. “It came from the LGUs (local government unit) themselves who want another option for their consumers.”
Garin identified resistance from Ileco 1 general manager Engr. Miguel Paguntalan as a major hurdle, describing his stance as rooted in “self-preservation.”
“The challenge is the ‘closed’ mindset of Engr. Paguntalan,” she said, adding that the cooperative’s leadership is resisting competition that could threaten its control over the franchise area.
If all legal and engineering requirements are met, Garin said, construction of MORE Power poles and energization in the 1st District could begin as early as 2026 or 2027.
Ileco 1 currently serves an estimated 170,000 consumers, about 80,000 of whom are in the 1st District and 90,000 in the 2nd District.
“At the end of the day, consumers must decide what is best for them — whether to stay with the current service or support the MORE Power expansion,” Garin said, adding that competition could push power distributors to improve service and lower rates./PN
