LINEMEN of MORE Power in Iloilo City. (Tara Yap)
ILOILO CITY — The town of Miag-ao in southern Iloilo province wants to be included in the services of Razon-owned MORE Electric and Power Corp. (MORE Power), the sole power distributor in Iloilo City since 2020.
The Sangguniang Bayan (SB) of Miag-ao adopted on Monday, Aug. 4, the resolution that urged Iloilo first district Rep. Janette Loreto-Garin to explore legislative measures that would expand the franchise of MORE Power.
Miag-ao and the towns in southern Iloilo are currently under the services of Iloilo Electric Cooperative (ILECO I).
“It has been observed and verified that MORE Power offers significantly lower residential electricity rates and generation charges compared to those charged by ILECO-I,” said the resolution.
“Residents and consumers are entitled to fair and competitive access to reliable and affordable electricity services,” added the resolution sponsored by SB Member Jun Carlu A. Napulan.
In 2022, Republic Act No. 11918 was passed that allowed the expansion of MORE Power franchise into 15 towns belonging to the second and fourth districts of Iloilo province.
While the MORE Power expansion has not been implemented outside of Iloilo City, the clamor has gained ground in other parts of Iloilo province, including Miag-ao.
Earlier this year, group Bantay ng Bayan 101 (BNB) Association issued a resolution urging Garin to act on an expansion of franchise for the entire first district.