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Iloilo City’s power distributor, More Electric and Power Corporation (MORE Power), is a step closer to extending its services beyond city limits as the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) prepares to issue its long-pending Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN).
Once granted, the CPCN will officially authorize MORE Power to operate in 15 municipalities and one component city across Iloilo province, marking the utility’s transition from an urban distributor to a regional energy player.
Final Regulatory Step
According to MORE Power legal officer Elizabeth Dyhn Cabunagan, the CPCN has been under ERC review since 2022, with the final hearing set this month. The company hopes the permit will be issued before the year ends, allowing it to begin its phased rollout of infrastructure across the province.
The CPCN is a key regulatory authorization that ensures new distribution utilities meet technical, financial, and operational standards before they begin commercial operations. It serves as the ERC’s assurance that a utility can deliver reliable, safe, and sustainable service to the public.
MORE Power’s application covers a four- to five-year development plan that includes the installation of new substations, upgraded transmission lines, and smart metering systems. These improvements, the company said, will replicate the modernization program already implemented in Iloilo City.
Modernization and Service Goals
Once the CPCN is granted, MORE Power plans to introduce lower, competitive distribution rates and enhanced customer service across the province, including real-time outage reporting and digital billing platforms.
Cabunagan said the company intends to “introduce modern facilities, lower competitive rates and excellent customer service, similar to Iloilo City.”
MORE Power President and CEO Roel Z. Castro, who also heads Primelectric Holdings Inc., said the expansion reflects both public demand and policy direction toward more inclusive, efficient electricity distribution. “This ruling is a victory for consumers who have been waiting for two years to access modern, reliable, and efficient electric service,” Castro said in an earlier statement.
The expansion will cover the towns of Alimodian, Anilao, Banate, Barotac Nuevo, Dingle, Dueñas, Dumangas, Leganes, Leon, New Lucena, Pavia, San Enrique, San Miguel, Santa Barbara, and Zarraga, as well as Passi City, based on the boundaries outlined under Republic Act No. 11918.
Legal Hurdles Resolved
The ERC’s near-term decision follows the Supreme Court’s final ruling in June 2025, which denied the motion for reconsideration filed by the Iloilo Electric Cooperatives (ILECO I, II, and III). The High Court upheld the constitutionality of RA 11918, which amended MORE Power’s original franchise (RA 11212) and expanded its coverage to the province.
The ruling effectively ended a three-year legal battle that had delayed the implementation of the expansion. MORE Power’s management described the outcome as an affirmation of both the rule of law and the clamor of local communities for improved power service.
“The clamor of the province of Iloilo for MORE Power to expand started in 2021, so it has been three years already,” Cabunagan said.
Hoping For Improved Service
Iloilo has faced recurring interruptions over the years due to aging lines and overlapping service areas. Once the expansion begins, consumers in the newly covered areas hope to experience fewer power interruptions, faster response times, and clearer billing processes. Consumer groups in Iloilo have previously urged MORE Power to provide residents with more affordable electricity rates and improved access to services.
Source:
https://dailyguardian.com.ph/more-power-secures-erc-nod-for-iloilo-expansion/