Grant of power franchise to new player hit

The Panay Electric Co. (Peco) has condemned the alleged “railroading” of House Bill No. 8302 that granted a power franchise to a new player with no experience or existing power facilities in Iloilo City.

“It appears to have been railroaded into approval by the Committee on Legislative Franchise chaired by [Palawan Rep.] Franz Alvarez,” said Manases Carpio, counsel for Peco, in a statement.

Carpio believed the bill “has been given undue preference and unwarranted advantages in the proceedings of Congressman Alvarez’s Committee” in favor of More Electric and Power Corp. (MEPC).

Peco would now shift its attention to the Senate, which it believed was “more discerning” with regard to HB 8302.

The Private Electric Power Operators Association previously warned residents of Iloilo City the franchise granted to a new player “will unavoidably result in higher rates for consumers” due to a need to construct new distribution facilities.

Peco Employees and Workers Association added in a separate statement “it will result in Iloilo City not having immediate electric power supply as MEPC does not have the existing and ready infrastructure to convey electric power.”