MORE Electric and Power Corp. (MORE Power) is looking forward to serving consumers from the 15 municipalities and one component city in Iloilo province after the Supreme Court denied with finality the motion for reconsideration filed by electric cooperatives challenging the validity of its expanded franchise.

“Technically, it affirms the decision that the expanded franchise of MORE Power is valid and constitutional, and it allows us to expand our electric distribution services from Iloilo City to 15 municipalities and one component city in the province of Iloilo,” MORE Power legal officer Elizabeth Dyhn Cabunagan said in an interview on Monday, June 16.

Cabunagan said the SC decision, which they received on June 13, is a “positive development” and they look forward to serving the second and fourth districts of the province.

“If you can recall, the clamor of the province of Iloilo for MORE Power to expand started in 2021, so it has been three years already. Hopefully, we will be issued the CPCN (Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity) this year and we can start serving our potential consumers in the province of Iloilo,” she added.

The CPCN, issued by the Energy Regulatory Commission, is a permit for the utility to start its services.

MORE Power’s CPCN has been pending since 2022. The last hearing is set this month.

Cabunagan said that once the CPCN is issued, MORE Power intends to roll out its development plan in four to five years. She said they would introduce modern facilities, lower competitive rates and excellent customer service, similar to Iloilo City.

Meanwhile, Roel Castro, president and chief executive officer of Primelectric Holdings Inc., the mother company of MORE Power, said they are grateful that the Supreme Court upheld “the rule of law and the will of the people.”

“This ruling is a victory for consumers who have been waiting for two years to access modern, reliable, and efficient electric service,” he said in a statement.

The expanded franchise will cover the towns of Alimodian, Anilao, Banate, Barotac Nuevo, Dingle, Dueñas, Dumangas, Leganes, Leon, New Lucena, Pavia, San Enrique, San Miguel, Santa Barbara and Zarraga; and Passi City.Perla Lena/PNA