Itinutulak ni Albay Representative Joey Salceda na bigyan ng panigabong 25-year franchise ang Meralco.
Sa ilalim ng House Bill 9793, ng mambabatas, binigyang-diin nito ang kahalagahan ng Meralco na mapailawan ang malaking bahagi ng bansa kabilang na ang National Capital Region (NCR).
“Electricity consumption in the Meralco franchise area already represented more than 50 percent of the country’s total electricity consumption in 2022. Meralco’s proven track record over the span of 120 years has assisted greatly in the development of the country’s key economic growth areas,” saad ni Salceda sa explanatory note ng panukala.
Sa 2028 pa nakatakdang magtapos ang prangkisa ng Meralco, ngunit ani Salceda mahalaga na mailatag na ang franchise renewal upang masiguro ang tuloy-tuloy na suplay at distribusyon ng kuryente.
Nagsisilbi ang Meralco sa may 38 lungsod at 73 munisipalidad sa Metro Manila, CALABARZON, Pampanga, at Bulacan.
Nakapaloob naman sa panukala ni Salceda na pahintulutan ang Meralco na magbigay serbisyo rin sa adjacent o kalapit lungsod, munisipalidad, barangay, at probinsya kung hihingin ng mga residente.
“The grantee shall also be authorized to extend service to any adjacent or nearby city, municipality, barangay or province, whenever such service is requested by its residents or inhabitants, through their Local Government Units, pursuant to a referendum called for that purpose in accordance with law or as otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction,” saad sa House Bill 9793.
Kahalintulad na panukala ang inihain ni Cagayan de Oro Representative Rufus Rodriguez, ang House Bill 9813. | ulat ni Kathleen Jean Forbes
