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Friday, March 29, 2024

MORE gets ERC green light

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More Electric and Power Corp. has welcomed the Energy Regulatory Commission’s decision giving an “all systems go” to the company to operate as the distribution utility of Iloilo City.

MORE president and chief operating officer Roel Castro urged Iloilo City consumers to visit the ERC website to check “who is the legitimate distribution utility for the city.”

ERC, in its letter dated March 5, issued a provisional authority (PA) to MORE authorizing it to operate the power distribution network in Iloilo City.

The PA grant to MORE has effectively revoked the provisional Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) the ERC granted to Panay Electric Company, Inc. (PECO), the former electric power franchisee in Iloilo City.

“MORE Power is committed to bettering our service to the people of Iloilo City with the modernization and replacement of the old distribution lines and equipment all over the city,” Castro said.

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“We promise to light up the streets of the city with an efficient and professional staff, dedicated to be good community partners of Ilonggos,” he said.

MORE submitted to the ERC a writ of possession dated February 27 issued by the Iloilo City Regional Trial Court Branch 23, authorizing it to take possession of certain properties of PECO in connection with the latter’s business of electric power distribution.

Further, MORE also submitted to the ERC a copy of the Sheriff’s return dated March 2 to inform the latter that the writ of possession has been duly served and fully implemented.

“With the ERC’s issuance of a Provisional Authority to MORE, it is clear that MORE is the bona fide and legitimate distribution utility in Iloilo City. As such, MORE is authorized to implement the last approved distribution charges for the Iloilo consumers,” ERC chairperson Agnes Devanadera said in a statement.

The ERC, through its technical personnel, conducted an inspection on March 3 to 4 to verify the actual status of the distribution network and determine who is actually operating the system.

On the basis of the inspection report submitted by the inspection team, it was confirmed that MORE has gained full possession and control over the five substations, has prepared for all other aspects related to electricity distribution and has power supply contracts in place with four power suppliers that will ensure continuous supply of electricity in the franchise area.

The ERC Inspection Team has also verified MORE’s readiness and capability in aspects of development, operation and maintenance of distribution systems.

“The Commission issued the Provisional Authority to protect consumer’s interest by ensuring uninterrupted electric service to consumers in Iloilo City and prevent chaos and confusion among said customers as to who is authorized to operate the distribution system in the area,” said Devanadera.

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