The Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI) “strongly endorses” the renewal of MERALCO’s legislative franchise, joining a roster of industry groups who also voiced support to the power distributor’s bid to continue delivering stable and reliable service to Filipino consumers.
In a letter to Congressman Gustavo Tambunting, Chairman of the House Committee on Legislative Franchises, FPI cited recent challenges in the country’s supply situation which concerns major electricity consumers, including FPI members.
FPI Chairman Jesus L. Arranza said that power interruptions lead to revenue losses and impede business growth, and even discourages local and foreign investments in the Philippines.
“It is in this light that we urge caution against disrupting the already fragile state of the electric power industry. Why fix something that isn’t broken? We see no reason to disrupt the continued operation of MERALCO, and not renewing its franchise si not only extremely counterproductive but also a big disservice to Filipinos,” Dr. Arranza said.
He also cited the distribution utility’s efficient service and its proactive efforts in mitigating the impact of supply imbalances through the interruptible load program that spared thousands of customers in its service area from rotating power interruptions.
“Additionally, MERALCO’s ongoing network upgrades directly benefit our sector. Upgraded infrastructure improves power quality, reduces outages, and facilitates the integration of renewable energy sources. These factors are crucial for our global competitiveness,” Dr. Arranza said.
FPI similarly echoed Congressman Rufus B. Rodriguez’s call for the Committee on Legislative Franchises to exercise prudence and use only substantive and verified evidence to maintain the integrity of the franchise deliberations.
Given the interdependency of the power and manufacturing sectors, FPI highlighted the crucial role of stable power sector in driving investments.
“We urge the Committee to recognize MERALCO’s significant contribution to the manufacturing sector. By renewing its franchise, the Committee would ensure the stability needed to propel Philippine industries forward,” Dr. Arranza concluded.