The House Committee on Legislative Franchises has approved a bill seeking to renew the franchise of Bohol Light, the sole electricity distribution utility in Tagbilaran City, for another 25 years.
The franchise renewal is outlined in House Bill No. 10888, jointly authored by Bohol Representatives Edgar Chatto (1st District), Vanessa Aumentado (2nd District), and Alexie Tutor (3rd District).
The bill was approved by the panel on February 5, 2025, according to Atty. Abeleon Damalerio, chief of staff of Rep. Chatto, who announced the development during a DYTR news program, Newsmakers ug Uban Pa, on Friday.
Bohol Light is a joint venture between the provincial government of Bohol and Primelectric Holdings Inc. (PHI), a subsidiary of billionaire Enrique Razon’s infrastructure and energy conglomerate. Its existing congressional franchise is set to expire later this year.
“The power to grant or extend franchises rests with Congress,” Damalerio explained, noting that after the committee’s approval, the measure will proceed to the plenary session for a second reading.
If passed, it will move to a third reading before being transmitted to the Senate, where it will undergo the same legislative process.
The House Committee on Legislative Franchises, chaired by Rep. Gus Tambunting of Parañaque City’s 2nd District, convened with the presence of all three Bohol representatives and officials from Bohol Light.
The measure’s passage is seen as a crucial step in ensuring the continued and stable supply of electricity to consumers in Tagbilaran City.
If approved by both chambers of Congress and signed into law by the president, the renewed franchise will allow Bohol Light to continue its operations for another 25 years, supporting the province’s growing energy demands.