The Senate on Wednesday approved on third and final reading a measure granting Bohol Light Company Inc. a fresh 25-year franchise to operate an electricity distribution system in Tagbilaran City.
The chamber also advanced on second reading a separate measure seeking to amend the franchise of More Electric and Power Corp. (MORE Power), the distribution utility serving Iloilo City.
Both are under Primelectric Holdings Inc., whose expansion in the Visayas region has led to substantial improvements in the performance of their distribution utilities, following investments in network modernization, system reliability and operational efficiency.
This is especially true in Iloilo City where MORE Power has operated since 2020, and Bacolod where Negros Power started operations in August 2024.
The Bohol Light measure authorizes the company to construct, install, establish, operate, own, manage and maintain a distribution system for the conveyance of electric power to end-users in Tagbilaran City.
It also requires the company to ensure a continuous and uninterrupted supply of electricity within its franchise area, subject to applicable laws and regulations and the oversight of the Energy Regulatory Commission.
The House of Representatives had earlier approved the Bohol Light franchise bill, House Bill No. 4746, on third reading on Oct. 13, 2025. The measure was transmitted to the Senate the following day.
Meanwhile, the MORE Power measure seeks to amend Sections 1, 16 and 21 of Republic Act No. 11212, as amended by Republic Act No. 11918, which granted the company its franchise to operate an electricity distribution system in Iloilo City.
The House had approved the measure on second reading on Feb. 23 and on third reading on March 3 before transmitting it to the Senate.
The Senate’s action allows the MORE Power measure to move forward in the legislative process, while the Bohol Light bill moves closer to becoming law following its approval on final reading.
Bohol Light’s franchise bill was filed in the Senate as Senate Bill No. 1834 by Sen. Pia Cayetano and referred to the Committee on Public Services.
