MANILA, Philippines — The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has ruled that More Electric and Power Corp (MORE Power) of port magnate Enrique Razon is the sole and legitimate power distributor in Iloilo City.
ERC chairperson Agnes Devanadera said MORE has secured all the requirements to operate Iloilo City’s power distribution utility.
These are the legislative franchise granted under Republic Act 11212 signed by President Duterte last year and the certificate of public convenience and necessity (CPCN), which requires a power utility to ensure public safety and efficient supply service to the public.
“MORE possesses the Congressional franchise and the authority to operate issued by the ERC,” Devanadera said in a text message.
Devanadera also clarified that the ERC is a quasi-judicial entity granted by the Electricity Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) the sole jurisdiction over the operation of electricity distribution utilities (DUs).
The ERC is upholding its March 5 decision, where it revoked the provisional CPCN of Panay Electric Co. (PECO) in favor of MORE.
The decision also granted a provisional authority to MORE to operate Iloilo City’s power distribution network and to allow it to implement the last approved distribution charges of PECO.
ERC also required MORE to source and procure the power requirements of its franchise.
The clarification was issued to clear up confusion among Ilonggos as to which one of the two companies is legitimately operating as Iloilo City’s distribution utility when they pay their monthly bill.
Devanadera said that even if the law requires MORE to get a certificate of exemption from the Department of Energy (DOE) so it could sign power supply agreements with generating companies, the EPIRA Law also allows utilities to engage in emergency contracts between utilities and power suppliers to ensure no disruption of electricity service.
Earlier this week, PECO wrote the ERC to appeal its decision and reinstate its two-year provisional CPCN, which was supposed to end next year.
“They have all the remedies available and they should pursue that if they want, but that’s for PECO to say,” she said.