WAS IT A simple twist of fate, or perhaps just a change of circumstance? Who would have thought that Miag-ao, Iloilo’s Mayor Richard Garin would request their Sangguniang Bayan to pass a resolution urging 1st District Rep. Janette Garin to sponsor legislation that would include the municipality in the franchise area of MORE Electric and Power Corporation (MORE Power)?
Resolution No. B2025-010, unanimously adopted during the council’s second regular session on July 15, 2025, appeals to Rep. Janette Garin to sponsor or author a measure amending Republic Act (RA) No. 11918 to bring Miag-ao—currently under the service area of Iloilo I Electric Cooperative (ILECO I)—within the coverage of MORE Power’s expanded franchise.
And Mayor Richard’s reason for endorsing MORE Power to Congresswoman Janette?
“Residents and consumers of the 1st District of Iloilo Province are entitled to fair and competitive access to reliable and affordable electricity services; it is the collective desire of the constituents to benefit from the same improved quality of service currently enjoyed by consumers in areas already served by MORE Power.”
Simply put, Mayor Richard acknowledges the fundamental right of residents and consumers to have fair and competitive access to reliable and affordable electricity.
Beyond that, he believes this expansion is not merely a business matter but a crucial step toward uplifting the living standards and opportunities for the people of the 1st District.
As I was saying, it’s probably just a simple twist of fate that the 1st District representative, Congresswoman Janette Garin, happens to be his wife, and the Department of Energy Secretary, Sharon Garin, is his sister.
Moving on—
In my previous column, I mentioned that MORE Electric and Power Corporation, a.k.a. MORE Power, “I Am Iloilo City’s” sole power distribution utility, is quite busy these days.
From launching a pilot project implementing an Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) System in Iloilo City, to introducing AI into its core operations—becoming one of the first in the industry to make such a bold move—it continues to push for a more efficient delivery of services.
Now, it is exploring renewable energy. Primelectric Holdings, Inc. and ACWA Power Company of Saudi Arabia have formally signed a Joint Study Agreement to jointly explore renewable energy and energy storage opportunities in Western Visayas and Palawan.
ACWA Power, a global leader in power generation and desalinated water solutions, operates over 100 assets across 14 countries. Its growing portfolio includes large-scale renewable and conventional power plants, with a strong focus on sustainable, low-cost energy projects.
Of course, Primelectric Holdings is the parent firm of distribution utilities MORE Power in Iloilo, Negros Power in Central Negros, and Bohol Light. It is the prime mover in modernizing and lowering power rates in its franchise areas while integrating innovative energy solutions.
The collaborative study will assess the most viable energy generation options for Negros, Panay, and Palawan—with the primary goal of optimizing power costs while maximizing the potential of renewable energy and energy storage technologies.
According to Primelectric Holdings President Roel Castro:
“Through this collaboration, we aim to explore projects that will stabilize power supply and harness the abundant renewable resources of the Visayas and Palawan.”
Under the agreement, Primelectric will provide technical data and insights on potential power generation projects in the identified areas, while ACWA Power will lead in the development, financing, and operation of feasible projects.
Once viable projects are identified and agreed upon, both companies plan to proceed to the development and investment phases—potentially introducing large-scale renewable energy installations and cutting-edge storage systems into the region’s energy mix.
With this change of circumstance in the 1st District, it seems the pieces are finally falling into place for the “One Iloilo, One Rate, One Provider” movement—adding renewable energy into the mix as the icing on the cake./PN
