Lawmaker concerned about More Power’s takeover of PECO assets in Iloilo

MANILA, Philippines – Rep. Joseph Stephen Paduano of the Abang Lingkod party-list group is concerned about the takeover of More Electric and Power Corp (More Power) of the distribution assets of Panay Electric Co. (PECO), noting that the former’s lack of experience in the power industry.

According to Paduano, Peco has been providing electricity to Iloilo City for over a hundred years.

Previously, an Iloilo City Regional Trial Court has issued a writ of ownership that allowed More Power to seize PECO assets and operate in the city.

“It will be remembered that despite More’s lack of power distribution facilities in Iloilo City and the company’s lack of experience in the area of power distribution, More was granted the franchise to distribute electricity in Iloilo City,” Paduano said in a statement.

“The grant of the controversial franchise to MORE led to its effort to take over the power distribution assets of PECO.  The forced takeover of Peco properties only shows that MORE does not actually have the capacity to set up its own distribution infrastructure,” he added.

The Iloilo electric issue started off when PECO’s franchise expired last January 2019 and after More Power’s application for a franchise was granted by Congress.

More Power has been looking to use PECO’s assets, but the Energy Regulatory Commission gave PECO a provisional franchise in order to prevent power interruption while the case is still ongoing.

But according to More Power, it has already seized control of several substations belonging to PECO, claiming that the city’s power woes are ending and that residents can expect a continuous electric provision.

READ: Iloilo City’s electricity provision assured after ‘power’ struggle solved

But aside from this, Paduano noted that several legal proceedings that seemed to lopsidedly favor More Power over PECO.

“As of this writing, four judges have already inhibited from the case,” Paduano added.

/atm