The House plenary. (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)

The measure seeking to grant the Manila Electric Co.(Meralco) a new 25-year franchise moved forward in the House of Representatives just before the congressional break. 

Approved on second reading during plenary session Tuesday night, Sept. 24, was House Bill (HB) No.10926. The bill sought the new quarter-century franchise for the power distribution giant, which serves the whole of Metro Manila. 

The measure is a consolidation of HB Nos. 9793, 9813, and 10317--all of which seek an early extension to Meralco’s franchise, which is scheduled to expire in 2028.  

One of the bills' authors, Albay 2nd district Rep. Joey Salceda, delivered a sponsorship speech for HB No.10926. on the sidelines of the plenary debates on the P6.352-trillion 2025 General Appropriations Bill (GAB). 

Salceda ably defended the bill together with Committee on Legislative Franchises Chairman Parañaque City 2nd district Rep. Gus Tambunting. 

Deputy Speaker Lanao del Sur 2nd district Rep. Yasser Balindong, the presiding officer, carried the motion to approve the measure on second reading after a simple voice vote (ayes vs. nayes).

Tuesday night's proceedings pave the way for the third and final reading approval of HB No.10926 as early as Nov. 4, or once congressmen reconvene. Congress will go on a six-week recess after plenaey session Wednesday, Sept. 25. 

Meralco, the country’s largest power distributor, mainly services the National Capital Region (NCR), which accounts for more than half of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).  

"Meralco's mandates under its current franchise were clear. It has met these mandates; hence, it's franchise merits renewal." Salceda, an economist, said. 

The Bicolano identified these mandates as the least cost mandate, efficiency mandate, reasonable price mandate, open and non-discriminatory access mandate, and the anti-market abuse mandate, which he said the utility has complied with. 

Tambunting, for his part, highlighted Meralco's reputation as a customer-friendly firm. 

"In its customer empowerment efforts, Meralco offers various platforms for addressing electric services, including a mobile app and website, allowing customers to apply for service, track application, report outages, and make inquiries," he said. 

Tambunting went on to mention its corporate social responsibility efforts. "Meralco has consistently provided aid to areas outside its franchise affected by natural disasters, sharing expertise and resources with other distribution utilities." 

"It has contributed to the restoration efforts after typhoons such as Pablo in 2012, Yolanda in 2013, Odette and Egay in 2023, among others. During the Covid, Meralco collaborated with Covid-19 interagency task force units to support the establishment of quarantine facilities," he said. 

"What am I trying to say? They have not been remiss," underscored Tambunting.