INAPRUBAHAN ng House of Representatives noong Martes ng gabi sa second reading ang bill na nagkakaloob sa Manila Electric Company (Meralco) ng panibagong 25 taon ng prangkisa.
Ang kasalukuyang prangkisa ng Meralco ay mapapaso sa 2028.
Sa kanyang sponsorship speech, sinabi ni Albay 2nd District Rep. Joey Salceda na nakasunod ang Meralco sa lahat ng tuntunin ng competitive selection, tumalima sa tuntunin ng ERC sa maximum rates, may pinakamababang system losses at “highly dependable.”
“It is on the ‘lower end’ of rates among neighbors in the region, administers refunds when it over-collects, complied with lifeline rates and senior citizen discounts and has not required any bailout from taxpayers, and complies with anti market abuse mandate with single digit profit margin,” dagdag pa niya.
“Meralco’s mandates under its current franchise were clear. It has met its mandates hence its franchise merits renewal,” ani Salceda.
Sa sandaling maisabatas, ang Metro Manila-based power distributor ay inaasahang magsusuplay ng koryente sa customers nito sa pinakamurang panamaraan.
Bukod dito, ang rates at charges nito ay dapat i-regulate at kailangang aprubahan ng Energy Regulatory Commission.