BY DAVE SUAN ALBARADO
The League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) – Bohol Chapter has adopted a resolution urging the province’s congressional representatives to include their municipalities in the franchise area of Bohol Light Company Inc. (BLCI), as the company’s current franchise covering Tagbilaran City is set to expire in October 2025.
The resolution, signed by 31 municipal mayors on October 30, 2024, at the Belmont Hotel in Pasay City, cited the potential benefits of BLCI’s expansion, including superior service and affordable rates, as demonstrated by its parent company Prime Electric in Iloilo City.
The municipalities, currently served by Bohol Electric Cooperative I & II, anticipate development and growth, requiring reliable and affordable electricity.
They are seeking inclusion in the franchise area of BLCI as outlined in House Bill No. 10888, which proposes a 25-year legislative franchise for the company to operate an electric power distribution system in Tagbilaran City.
The resolution will be transmitted to Bohol Congressman Edgar M. Chatto, Congresswomen Maria Vanessa Aumentado and Kristine Alexie B. Tutor, the House Committee on Legislative Franchises, the Senate Committee on Public Services, Bohol Provincial Government officials, Prime Electric, and Bohol Light Company Inc.
The move comes as Prime Electric, which acquired a 70% share of SALCON Power (BLCI), prepares to partner with the Bohol Provincial Government in managing the company.
The Supreme Court has ruled that electric cooperatives do not possess a constitutional right to exclusive franchises within their service areas.
Meanwhile, 15 municipalities did not sign the resolution, citing various reasons.
The non-signatory municipalities include Albur, Baclayon, Balilihan, Loon, and Calape in the 1st District; Danao, Ubay, Inabanga, and Getafe in the 2nd District; and Batuan, Loay, Loboc, Guindulman, Garcia Hernandez, Jagna, and Valencia in the 3rd District.
The LMP Bohol Chapter said they are optimistic that the resolution will pave the way for improved electricity services in the province, benefiting its residents and supporting its economic growth.
BOHOL LIGHT COMPANY INC. UNDERGOES TRANSITION WITH NEW OWNERSHIP AND INVESTMENT PLANS
Bohol Light Company Inc. (BLCI), the primary electric distribution utility in Tagbilaran City, is set to undergo significant changes following its acquisition by Primelectric Holdings Inc., a subsidiary of Razon-led MORE Electric and Power Corporation.
The acquisition, finalized in September 2024, involves a 70% stake in BLCI, with Primelectric committing to invest at least P1 billion to rehabilitate and modernize the company’s distribution assets.
The investment plans include infrastructure rehabilitation, installation of automatic circuit reclosers, and customer service improvements.
The move comes as BLCI’s franchise is set to expire in October 2025, prompting Bohol’s congressional representatives to pursue a new franchise for the company.
House Bill No. 10888 seeks to ensure BLCI’s continued operations under the new ownership structure.
Primelectric’s President, Roel Castro, has said cited the company’s commitment to improving service quality and operational efficiency in Tagbilaran City. The investment is expected to enhance customer satisfaction and operational performance in the coming years.
BOHECO I AND BOHECO II: PROVIDING ELECTRICITY TO BOHOL PROVINCE
Bohol Electric Cooperatives I and II (BOHECO I and BOHECO II) are two major electric cooperatives serving the province of Bohol, providing essential electricity services to a large portion of the island’s population.
BOHECO I, established in 1971, serves nearly half of the island’s landmass, covering 56.85% residential consumers, 32.32% commercial and industrial loads, and 10.83% for irrigation and public services.
The cooperative’s mission is to deliver quality electric service while ensuring member-consumer satisfaction.
BOHECO II, founded in 1978, serves the northeastern portion of Bohol, covering approximately 2,101 square kilometers and providing service to 491 barangays across 21 municipalities.
The cooperative aims to be a leading electric power utility focused on consumer welfare, primarily serving residential customers (91%).
Both cooperatives do not generate electricity but procure it from various suppliers.
They have implemented development plans to enhance their infrastructure and service delivery, including initiatives for improving energy efficiency and expanding access to electricity for underserved areas.
BOHECO I and BOHECO II are integral to Bohol’s electrification efforts, each serving distinct geographic areas with a commitment to improving service quality and community welfare, reports said.