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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Thank you, boss! Salceda elated with PBBM's extension of Meralco franchise

Thank you, boss! Salceda elated with PBBM's extension of Meralco franchise

Published Apr 15, 2025 04:33 pm

At A Glance

  • Albay 2nd district Rep. Joey Salceda aired his appreciation to President Marcos after the latter reportedly signed into law one of his pet measures in the 19th Congress--the 25-year extension to the Manila Electric Company's (Meralco) franchise.
  • The company's current operating franchise won't expire until 2028, but Salceda saw fit to pursue the extension early.

20250416_002800.jpgAlbay 2nd district Rep. Joey Salceda (left), President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. (PPAB, Facebook)

Albay 2nd district Rep. Joey Salceda aired his appreciation to President Marcos after the latter reportedly signed into law one of his pet measures in the 19th Congress--the 25-year extension to the Manila Electric Company's (Meralco) franchise.

"Thank you, President BBM (Bongbong Marcos), for the swift and favorable action on an improved franchise for Meralco," Salceda, the Committee on Ways and Means chairman, said in a statement on Tuesday night, April 15.

"Meralco has done good and promises to do better. This franchise will help ensure that happens," he added.

Salceda principally authored in the current 19th Congress House Bill (HB) No.10926, the lower chamber’s version of the franchise renewal measure. Meralco, which serves the whole of Metro Manila, is the country’s largest power distributor.

The company's current operating franchise won't expire until 2028, but Salceda saw fit to pursue the extension early.

The Bicolano went on to recall the key details of the measure's deliberation in the Committee on Franchises chaired by Parañaque City 2nd district Rep. Gus Tambunting.

"During the deliberations for this franchise, Meralco committed to P206 billion in capital expenditures over the next five years to reduce systems losses and make distribution costs efficient. It also committed to help power more electric vehicles and provide facilities for industries of the future, such as data centers," he said.

Salceda said Meralco also committed to continue improving system reliability.

"Back in 2011, the average user experienced some 550 minutes in power interruptions. Now, it’s down to as low as 123 minutes in the entire year. Such reliability was unthinkable back in the 1990. And Meralco commits to doing better every year," he said.

"In fact," Salceda added, "I calculated that if the whole country were serviced with a provider as reliable as Meralco, an additional ₱204 billion in gross value added would be made in the economy, bringing our growth levels closer to what China experienced during its boom."

Salceda, an economist, is running for gubernatorial seat in Albay in next month’s mid-term polls.

Related Tags

PBBM Manila Electric Company (Meralco) Franchise joey salceda
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