House clears Iloilo province expansion of Razon’s MORE Power

Insider Spotlight

• The House of Representatives approved a bill expanding MORE Power’s franchise area in Iloilo province
• The measure now heads to the Senate for deliberation
• MORE Power is owned by billionaire Enrique Razon Jr., potentially strengthening his influence in Iloilo’s power sector
• Local officials say expanded coverage could bring more reliable electricity to several municipalities

The House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading a bill that would expand the franchise area of Enrique Razon Jr.-owned More Electric and Power Corp. (MORE Power), moving the measure to the Senate and closer to widening electricity distribution coverage across parts of Iloilo province.

Lawmakers overwhelmingly backed House Bill 7647, which would allow the company to extend its distribution services beyond Iloilo City into nearby towns. Supporters argue the move could improve service reliability and support economic activity in southwestern Iloilo.

The proposal was authored by Iloilo 1st District Rep. Janette Garin and secured strong backing during plenary voting, with 247 lawmakers voting in favor, four opposing, and no abstentions.

Why it matters

If enacted, the measure would allow MORE Power to expand its distribution network to the municipalities of Igbaras, Tubungan, Oton, Tigbauan, Guimbal, Miag-ao, and San Joaquin.

The expansion would also reinforce the footprint of the company owned by billionaire Enrique Razon Jr., further solidifying his presence in the electricity distribution sector in Iloilo province.

Janette Garin

The Iloilo lawmaker is backing MORE Power's franchise area expansion citing its good track record.

Local governments in the first district have pushed for inclusion in the company’s franchise area, citing the need for improved and more stable electricity service.

“The respective towns in the First District of Iloilo Province have passed resolutions requesting assistance in passing a measure that would allow them to be covered by MORE Power’s franchise area,” Garin said. “This would enable residents to benefit from the fast, reliable, and modern electric power distribution services that MORE Power has been known to deliver.”

The big picture

MORE Power began operations in Iloilo City in 2020 after replacing the long-time distribution utility when its permits expired.

The transition marked a significant shift in the city’s electricity distribution system and placed the Razon-led firm in charge of modernizing the grid.

Since then, the company has rolled out infrastructure upgrades including replacing aging distribution lines and improving substations and monitoring systems. Supporters say these investments have helped reduce system losses and improve response to outages.

What’s next

The bill now moves to the Senate for further deliberation.

If approved and signed into law, proponents say the franchise expansion could accelerate development in several southwestern Iloilo towns seeking more stable and modern electricity distribution. —Daxim L. Lucas |Ed: Corrie S. Narisma