Congresswoman Janette Garin believes that the extension of MORE Electric and Power Corporation’s  (MORE Power) franchise to the First District of Iloilo province would benefit residents.

The House Committee on Legislative Franchises  began on Tuesday, Dec. 9, deliberations on House Bill No. 6292 filed by Garin.

The bill seeks to 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 First District.”

During the committee hearing, Garin, local officials, and consumer groups from the First District expressed their strong support for the proposed measure.

In her statement, Garin said allowing MORE Power to operate in her district would introduce healthy competition, lower electricity rates, and relieve residents from what she described as the high operational expenses of the incumbent Iloilo Electric Cooperative I (ILECO I).

She cited a recent Supreme Court ruling affirming the legality of competition in the utility sector, stating that this strengthens efforts to open options for consumers.

“This proposal is not meant to displace ILECO I,” Garin stressed. “It is to give consumers a choice and to ensure fairness as the energy landscape in Iloilo continues to evolve.”

Garin also warned that residents of the First District could face steeper electricity rates if they remain solely dependent on ILECO I, especially once consumers in Iloilo’s Second and Fourth Districts—which are currently under ILECO I—begin transferring to MORE Power due to its lower rates and more efficient services.

“ILECO I covers the First, Second, and part of the Third District of Iloilo. If the southern towns remain closed to MORE Power, my constituents may end up subsidizing the approximately ₱40 million in monthly operational expenses of ILECO I,” she said.

MORE Power president and CEO Roel Castro told the committee that their power firm is technically and financially prepared to enter the First District.

He added that based on their simulations, establishing the necessary infrastructure will require at least P2 billion in capital investment.

The committee is expected to continue its deliberations on the bill in January next year.IMT