The Senate Committee on Public Services, chaired by Senator Raffy Tulfo, convened on March 18, 2026, to deliberate on two franchises under Primelectric Holdings Inc.
The session focused on the franchise extension request for Bohol Light Company Incorporated and the franchise expansion for MORE Electric and Power Corporation.
Mr. Roel Z. Castro, President and Chief Executive Officer of both utilities, presented the performance overview of the two companies. He detailed operational improvements and provided the justification behind these legislative requests.
MORE Power: Expansion Amid Strong Performance Metrics
MORE Electric and Power Corporation, which has operated under a legislative franchise in Iloilo City forsix years, is seeking to further widen its coverage area.
The proposal includes seven municipalities in the First District of Iloilo Province, sponsored by Congresswoman Janet Garin following requests from residents. If approved, these areas will join the second and fourth districts, which were previously included in MORE Power’s expanded franchise.
Mr. Castro highlighted significant operational improvements since the company began its operations in Iloilo City:
- System Loss Reduction:Decreased from 28% to just 5%
- Customer Base: Increased from 62,000 to 107,000
- Reliability:Improved the System Average Interruption Frequency Index (SAIFI) and System Average Interruption Duration Index (SAIDI) by over 90%
Castro further stated that MORE Electric, Negros Power, and Bohol Light—all managed by Primelectric Holdings—currently offer the lowest electricity rates in the Visayas
Government Agency Assessments
Various government agencies provided compliant assessments for the two utilities:
- Department of Energy (DOE):Noted that reportorial and other requirements are organized, though additional provisions for regulatory layers were suggested
- Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC): Confirmed the company's performance, system reliability, system loss, and power quality standards.
- Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR):Verified regular tax filings and payments, noting there are no open cases.
- Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC): Confirmed compliance with reporting requirements and will submit an official position paper.
- Philippine Competition Commission (PCC):Expressed no opposition and submitted a position paper.
- Commission on Audit (COA): Remained neutral but emphasized the need for provisions regarding full audit access, transparency, financial disclosure, and accountability.
- Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE): Reported no record of labor inspection issues or pending labor standard cases.
- Iloilo Electric Cooperatives: Expressed no opposition during the proceedings.
Bohol Light: Post-Acquisition Progress
Bohol Light became part of Primelectric Holdings in 2024 after the firm acquired 70% of the Salcon Power group. The remaining 30% is still owned by the Provincial Government of Bohol.
Since the takeover, Mr. Castro reported several operational advancements:
- Expanded Customer Base:Added over 1,000 households, particularly in low-load areas.
- Streamlined Payments: Payments are now accepted at the barangay level in Tagbilaran City.
- Efficiency: Reduced documentary requirements for new applicants to just four items.
- Employee Welfare:Retained 100% of the workforce** while enhancing benefits, including health insurance and 14th-month pay.
Following the presentations and reviews by government agencies, both bills were referred to a Technical Working Group (TWG) for further consideration. The committee will continue reviewing the proposals to refine recommendations before the bills move forward in the Senate legislative process.