Senate approval of Meralco franchise bill expected by June — Villanueva

The Senate bill granting the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) a 25-year franchise to operate is expected to be approved on third and final reading by the upper chamber before the 19th Congress ends on June 13, Senator Joel Villanueva said Thursday.

"I've been defending [the Meralco franchise bill] for the past three weeks, and by Monday, I think the interpellations, debates will be done. Hopefully, before the break [on February 7], mapasa namin ito at least on the second reading. That is what I am shooting for. Then after elections, botohan na lang [when we return in June for third reading approval]," Villanueva said during the Kapihan sa Senado.

(I've been defending [the Meralco franchise bill] for the past three weeks, and by Monday, I think the interpellations, debates will be done. Hopefully, before the break [on February 7], we will be able to pass it at least on the second reading. That is what I am shooting for. Then after the elections, we will just need to vote on it [when we return in June for third reading approval.])

Villanueva, author of Senate Bill 2824 on the Meralco franchise renewal, said he does not see any significant hurdle to its approval.

"My colleagues know how important it is to pass this measure immediately. We cannot interrupt the service for Meralco's 8 million consumers," Villanueva added.

He said fellow senators just want to be assured that Meralco will comply with the Supreme Court decision ordering the distribution utility to refund its customers.

"We were informed by Meralco that they are committed... they assured us that they already complied with all the court decisions ordering refund. These are court decisions which they are not contesting anymore," Villanueva said.

"I am convinced they have addressed the complaints, and I say that because they have instituted mechanisms in place on how to ensure proper billing," Villanueva added.

Meralco's existing 25-year franchise is set to expire in 2028.

Consumer groups United Filipino Consumers and Commuters (UFCC) and People for Power Coalition (P4P) have earlier expressed concern about the early push to renew Meralco's franchise years ahead of its expiry.

On Tuesday, over 20 industry groups expressed support for the renewal of Meralco's franchise.

Meanwhile, Villanueva said Meralco's System Average Interruption Duration Index is the lowest at 123 minutes in a year.

The figure is much lower compared with other electric cooperatives, Villanueva said, which have a System Average Interruption Duration Index range from 306 to 1,978 minutes in a year.

"When it comes to reliability of electric supply, Meralco, by far, is the most efficient, given their vast experience and sound financial standing," Villanueva added.

The House of Representatives already approved the Meralco franchise bill for another 25 years last November 2024. — VDV, GMA Integrated News