Senate OKs new franchise for Razon’s power utility

MANILA, Philippines — Tycoon Enrique Razon Jr.’s Bohol Light Co. Inc. is moving closer to securing a new franchise to operate in Tagbilaran City after hurdling the Senate.

The upper chamber approved Senate Bill 1834 on third and final reading, which seeks to grant the company a new 25-year franchise to operate and maintain its distribution system.

Once enacted into law, the measure will require Bohol Light to provide continuous and uninterrupted electricity service within its franchise area, subject to existing laws, rules and regulations.

The House of Representatives had earlier approved its counterpart, House Bill 4746, on third reading on Oct. 13, 2025. The measure was transmitted to the Senate the following day.

Meanwhile, a separate measure seeking to expand the franchise of another Razon-led power distributor, MORE Electric Power Corp., has also advanced in the Senate after securing approval on second reading.

This will allow MORE Power to extend its electricity distribution services beyond Iloilo City to municipalities in Iloilo’s first district, including Igbaras, Tubungan, Oton, Tigbauan, Guimbal, Miag-ao and San Joaquin.

The House approved the franchise expansion bill on third reading on March 3 before transmitting it to the Senate.

The Senate’s actions allow both measures to move forward in the legislative process, with the Bohol Light franchise now closer to becoming law and the MORE Power expansion continuing its legislative journey.

MORE Power and Bohol Light are both under Primelectric Holdings Inc., the Razon Group’s power distribution arm.

Since beginning operations in Iloilo City in 2020, MORE Power has invested significantly in upgrading and modernizing its distribution infrastructure.

The Razon Group took control of Bohol Light in 2024, with Primelectric committing at least P1 billion to rehabilitate and upgrade the utility’s distribution assets.