Congresswoman Janette Garin has formally filed a bill allowing MORE Electric and Power Corporation (MORE Power) to expand its franchise to the seven towns of Iloilo province’s First District.

These towns — currently served by Iloilo Electric Cooperative (ILECO I) — are Igbaras, Tubungan, Oton, Tigbauan, Guimbal, Miag-ao, and San Joaquin.

Garin’s House Bill No. 6292 seeks to amend specific provisions of Republic Act (RA) No. 11212, as amended by RA No. 11918, which currently grants MORE Power the authority to operate as a distribution utility in Iloilo City and parts of the province’s Second and Fourth Districts.

The proposed expansion will allow MORE Power “to establish, operate, and maintain, for commercial purposes and in the public interest, a distribution system for the conveyance of electric power to end users in the 1st District.”

In the explanatory note of the bill, Garin highlighted MORE Power’s performance since taking over the Iloilo City distribution system five and a half years ago.

“In that short period, MORE Power has reduced electric rates in Iloilo City from among the highest in the country to among the lowest,” she noted.

The power firm’s service coverage also expanded significantly—from 63,000 customers to 101,000—alongside a sustained rehabilitation of what Garin described as “aging and decrepit” facilities inherited from the previous operator.

“We believe that such service, marked by high standards and proven to be fast, reliable, responsive, modern, and forward-looking, should also be made available to Ilonggos living outside Iloilo City,” she said.

According to Garin, competition is allowed—and even encouraged—under the Constitution.

“Public interest will be better served if we allow competition that gives Ilonggos in the First District a choice—to access modern, dependable, affordable, and efficient electric distribution services already being enjoyed by Iloilo City residents,” she said.

“It is the right time to do this, and to continue the progress of Iloilo City and to jump-start the progress in the nearby parts of Iloilo Province,” Garin continued.

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) recently granted MORE Power a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) for its expanded franchise areas in Passi City and the towns of Alimodian, Leganes, Leon, New Lucena, Pavia, San Miguel, Santa Barbara, Zarraga, Anilao, Banate, Barotac Nuevo, Dingle, Dueñas, Dumangas, and San Enrique.IMT