Iloilo power consumers urge SC: Consider our plight

MANILA, Philippines — Power consumers in Iloilo City had urged the Supreme Court (SC) to consider their plight regarding the legal issue between two power distribution utilities, More Electric and Power Corp. (More Power) and Panay Electric Co. (PECO).

In a statement on Wednesday, the general manager of Western Visayas Transport Cooperative (WVTC) Halley Alcarde said that the High Court magistrates will consider the appeal of the consumers, as well as “prioritize and really look at the situation in Iloilo City and the huge difference in power supply in Iloilo.”

Currently, More Power holds legislative franchise to operate the electricity distribution system of Iloilo City.

More Power was also granted a business permit by the Iloilo City local government and certificate of public convenience and necessity from the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC).

However, Peco said that the takeover of its business operations was “unconstitutional.”

Peco previously said that it was hopeful that the High Court will reverse the ruling of the Iloilo Regional Trial Court, which affirmed the validity of the takeover of its distribution assets by More Power.

Previously, More Power president Roel Castro said it will take three years to modernize the city’s distribution system. He added that the company had committed a capital expenditure of P1.8 billion.

Moreover, Castro said that More Power continued with its system upgrades even during the COVID-19 pandemic, and has since upgraded 100 distribution transformers, replaced 100 electric poles, fixed 97 hotspot connectors.

More Power has also replaced switchboards at transformers in all substations and replaced electric meters of around 15,000 residents, Castro added.

JPV