Several lawmakers are pushing for an investigation into the frequent brownouts in Iloilo City, the regional center of the Western Visayas region.

Ako Bisaya Party-list Representative Sonny Lagon urged the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) and the Department of Energy (DOE) to look into the power situation in the city.

“Ang concern ko lang talaga is yung mga consumers ng Iloilo, na sana hindi sila ma-apektuhan, lalo na ngayong pandemic. Ang problema ko talaga kasi is yung mga long brownouts na nangyayari,” he said.

The operation of the city’s power distribution system is currently being handled by MORE Electric and Power Corp (MORE Power), a firm owned by ports and casino tycoon Enrique Razon, Jr. 

Abang Lingkod Party-list Representative Joseph Steven Paduano also echoed the calls for immediate probe on the Iloilo power issue.

“Once again, our argument on the issue proves us correct! And during this time of a pandemic it is more highlighted that the leaders of this country, in all branches of government involved in this power crisis, and that includes Congress, must show the people of Iloilo our sense of urgency to settle this issue the soonest possible time,” he said.

For his part, PHILRECA Party-list Representative Presley de Jesus said that the Iloilo power situation is getting to be very alarming as the spate of brownouts adversely affect the health and safety of the Ilonggos and also paralyzes business operations, especially the MSMEs which is a significant chunk of the Iloilo business landscape.

“There is a need for the House Energy Committee and the ERC to look into the power situation in Iloilo to ensure the reliability and stability of the power supply and distribution,” De Jesus said.

Aside from the frequent power outages, consumers also complained of “widespread exorbitant electric bills or erroneous billing calculations of MORE Power.”

Jose Allen Aquino, coordinator of the Koalisyon Bantay Kuryente (KBK), said “the brownouts have been happening at longer durations and they almost occur on a daily basis and this is clearly a disservice to the people of Iloilo City.”

KPK is a group advocating for consumers’ rights and welfare across Panay Island.

Aquino said erroneous billings are “clear-cut violations of the rights and welfare of consumers and this legitimately requires an investigation by the ERC, similar to the probes that the regulatory body has been carrying out against the other power utilities in the country.”

MORE Power, which has been granted a 25-year franchise to distribute electricity in the city, started to taking over the distribution assets of Panay Electric Co. (PECO) in February this year. 

PECO’s franchise expired in January 2019. The city’s long-time power distributor filed an application to renew its franchise but failed to get the approval of the House Committee on Legislative Franchises.IMT

Photo by Agimat Tron