MORE Electric and Power Corporation

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MORE Electric and Power Corporation
Company type Public
Industry Power distributor
Founded2018;6 years ago (2018)
HeadquartersMORE Power Corporate Center, Quezon Street, City Proper, Iloilo City, Philippines
Key people
Roel Z. Castro, President and CEO
Owner Enrique K. Razon
Parent Prime Strategic Holdings, Inc.
Subsidiaries Primelectric Holdings, Inc.
Website www.morepower.com.ph

MORE Electric and Power Corporation, also known as MORE Power, is an electric power distribution company in the Philippines. It has been serving Iloilo City since 2019, following its controversial takeover of the private firm Panay Electric Company (PECO) as the city's sole power distributor. [1]

Contents

The name "MORE" is an acronym for Monte Oro Resources & Energy, Inc., [2] a subsidiary of Prime Strategic Holdings, Inc. (formerly known as Prime Metroline Holdings, Inc.) of billionaire Enrique Razon. [3]

History

MORE Power was founded in 2018 under the parent company of Prime Strategic Holdings, Inc. of Enrique K. Razon. On February 14, 2019, it was granted a 25-year power distribution franchise in Iloilo City signed by President Rodrigo Duterte, after Panay Electric Company (PECO)'s 97-year-long service franchise in the city expired earlier on January 18, 2019. [4] [5]

On July 30, 2022, MORE Power's proposed expanding its power distribution service in Iloilo province lapsed into law under Republic Act 11918, or the modified MORE Power franchise. The expansion of MORE Power’s service areas covered Alimodian, Leganes, Leon, New Lucena, Pavia, San Miguel, Santa Barbara, Zarraga, Anilao, Banate, Barotac Nuevo, Dingle, Dueñas, Dumangas, San Enrique, and Passi City. [6] [7] [8] [9] The service areas were previously served by Iloilo Electric Cooperatives (ILECO) I and III. [10]

In July 2024, MORE Power invested ₱ 115 million to modernized power services, including the implementation of a SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) system, which allows for remote monitoring and control of substations, as well as the collection of data for analysis. [11]

In October 2024, the underground distribution system (UDS) along Calle Real, a historic street in downtown Iloilo City, successfully connected its first customer. The project, financed by MORE Power in collaboration with the Iloilo City government, began in 2023 and is expected to be completed by December 2024. [12] [13]

Controversies

Franchise dispute with PECO

In February 2019 when President Duterte signed Republic Act 11212, MORE Power was granted a 25-year franchise to take over from PECO, whose own franchise had expired just weeks earlier in January 2019 after failing to secure an extension from Congress. [14] Following this legislative move, MORE Power swiftly initiated an expropriation case against PECO in March 2019 to legally acquire its distribution assets necessary for operating in Iloilo City. Despite PECO's objections, the Iloilo City Regional Trial Court, under Judge Emerald Requina-Contreras, issued a crucial writ of possession, allowing MORE Power to take over specified PECO assets. This court order paved the way for MORE Power to assume operational control over key infrastructure like substations, reassuring residents and businesses of uninterrupted service through proactive consumer support measures. [15] However, PECO has continued to challenge the legality of Republic Act 11212 and the court's decisions, maintaining a legal and regulatory standoff that underscores the complexities and stakes involved in the transition of electricity distribution services in Iloilo City. [16]

In 2020, the Supreme Court issued a final ruling that PECO could no longer operate Iloilo City’s distribution system, affirming that its franchise had lapsed. MORE Power was thereby established as the new distributor of power in Iloilo City. [17]

Franchise expansion conflict

In 2024, the Supreme Court upheld MORE Power's expansion franchise covering 15 municipalities and one city previously within ILECOs' jurisdiction. The landmark decision entitled "Iloilo Electric Cooperative, Inc. [ILECO I], et al. v. Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin, et al.", G.R. No. 264260, dated July 30, penned by Justice Rodil Zalameda, dismissed the certiorari filed by Iloilo Electric Cooperative, Inc. I, II, and III which contested the validity of Section 1, R.A. 11918. [18] It ruled that Section 11, Article XII of the 1987 Constitution prohibits exclusive franchises. [19]

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References

  1. ↑ "MORE ELECTRIC v. PANAY ELECTRIC COMPANY". lawyerly.ph. Retrieved August 4, 2022.
  2. ↑ "Monte Oro changes name, raises capital base to P1b". Manila Standard. October 4, 2018. Retrieved August 4, 2022.
  3. ↑ "About Us « MORE Power". MORE Power. Retrieved August 4, 2022.
  4. ↑ Jr, Nestor P. Burgos (February 19, 2019). "More Power granted 25-year distribution franchise in Iloilo City". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  5. ↑ "Supreme Court upholds MORE Power franchise". Daily Guardian. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  6. ↑ "PAVIA FIRST TO ENJOY MORE POWER SERVICE; Cheaper power soon within reach". Panay News. August 3, 2022. Retrieved August 4, 2022.
  7. ↑ "Iloilo City power distributor to expand services to Iloilo's 15 towns and one city". Manila Bulletin. May 31, 2022. Retrieved August 4, 2022.
  8. ↑ "MORE Power expansion bill hurdles Senate 2nd reading closer to approval". Panay News. Retrieved May 25, 2022.
  9. ↑ "Modified law grants expanded coverage to power firm in Iloilo". CNN Philippines. Archived from the original on August 3, 2022. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
  10. ↑ "Razon firm expands power distribution in Iloilo". Manila Bulletin. August 2, 2022. Retrieved August 4, 2022.
  11. ↑ Lagare @jordeenelagare, Jordeene B. (July 10, 2024). "MORE Power invests P115 million to improve power services". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
  12. ↑ "Iloilo City soon to unveil heritage district with underground cabling". Panay News. October 26, 2024. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
  13. ↑ Guardian, Daily (October 27, 2024). "MORE Power Connects First Customer to Underground Distribution System". Daily Guardian. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
  14. ↑ "'PECO FAILED ILOILO'". Panay News. November 23, 2018. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  15. ↑ Lucas, Daxim L. (November 14, 2018). "Blackouts feared as fight for Iloilo electricity franchise heats up". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  16. ↑ Rivera, Danessa. "MORE Power takes over PECO". Philstar.com. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  17. ↑ "SC upholds MORE Power's right to distribute power in Iloilo City". Power Philippines. May 27, 2021. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  18. ↑ "Exclusive Franchises are Prohibited by the Constitution". Supreme Court of the Philippines. August 1, 2024. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
  19. ↑ Pulta, Benjamin (August 2, 2024). "SC: Electric cooperatives do not have right to exclusive franchise". Philippine News Agency . Retrieved August 2, 2024.
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