ILOILO CITY—MORE Power and Electric Corp. is spending about P1.5 billion to expand its distribution coverage in Iloilo province, a top executive said over the weekend.
“We initially invested P1.5 billion, and I would say that initially it will connect us to 15 areas, but it will still depend on the take-up of the demand,” MORE Power president Roel Castro said.
Castro said MORE Power, the distribution utility in Iloilo City, is expanding in the second and fourth districts of Iloilo province covering about 15 municipalities and one city.
Republic Act No. 11918 expands MORE Power’s coverage to the cities of Iloilo and Passi and the municipalities of Alimodian, Leganes, Leon, New Lucena, Pavia, San Miguel, Santa Barbara, Zarraga, Anilao, Banate, Barotac Nuevo, Dingle, Duenas, Dumangas and San Enrique.
“In two municipalities, we already laid down the primary lines. We are waiting for the CPCN [certificate of public convenience and necessity] from the Energy Regulatory Commission to start electric service to consumers in the area,” Castro said.
Castro said this is the first time in the Philippines that two franchisees in an area would compete “and Congress wants to look if it will be good or not good.”
The said areas are also being served by the Iloilo Electric Cooperative I and 2.
Meanwhile, Castro said they were waiting for the Congressional approval of the joint venture of MORE Power’s sister company with Central Negros Electric Cooperative.
“It is now in Congress. It’s already done with first reading. When Congress resumes [session] in November we would be entering the second reading. Everythings is still dependent on Congress and Senate,” he said.
Castro said MORE Power’s expansion in Iloilo and Bacolod was driven by clamor of the people for better electric service.
Meanwhile, Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Trenas said reliable power drew strong interest from business process outsourcing companies to locate to the city.
“BPO companies are very upbeat in opening more operations in Iloilo. They are very happy with the graduates. What is lacking really is the buildings,” he said.