Without a stable and reliable electric power, how would Iloilo’s Dinagyang Festival and Aklan’s Ati-Atihan look?
Obviously, there would be lack of vibrancy and illumination… and locals and tourists alike would be greatly disappointed.
Power is so important to the lives of people in the whole island of Panay that the power firms supplying electricity walked the extra mile in the run-up to the feasts of the Santo Niño in various towns and cities in Panay.
In the province of Aklan and some towns in Antique and Capiz, the Aklan Electric Cooperative Inc. (AKELCO) had been very supportive of the festivities and revelry, knowing that their services are most important and irreplaceable especially in Boracay where visitors were expecting a vibrant and festive celebration.
Meanwhile, MORE Electric and Power Corporation (MORE Power), the sole power distribution utility in Iloilo City, was fully prepared to ensure a stable and reliable power supply for the Dinagyang Festival, from January 24 to 26.
It was reported that to accommodate the expected surge in power demand during the Dinagyang Festival, MORE Power has implemented a comprehensive contingency plan.
Aklan SP endorses AKELCO
The 19th Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Aklan has endorsed for approval by the Senate of the Republic of the Philippines of the power distribution system franchise of the sole power distributor in the Province of Aklan, the Aklan Electric Cooperative, Inc.
Through Resolution No. 2025-014 enacted by the provincial legislative body of the province, it respectfully implored the Senate for the approval of House Bill No. 10243, entitled: “An Act Granting the Aklan Electric Cooperative, Inc. (AKELCO) A Franchise to Construct, Install, Establish, Operate, Own, Manage and Maintain A Distribution System for the Conveyance of Electric Power to the End-Users in the Seventeen (17) Municipalities of the Province of Aklan; the Municipalities of Pandan and Libertad of the Province of Antique; and in Barangay Damayan, Municipality of Sapian, Province of Capiz.”
AKELCO had been the sole power distributor in its franchised area covering the whole Province of Aklan and two northern municipalities of the Province of Antique and a very adjacent barangay which is part of Capiz province for almost five decades. Its franchise as a power distributor in the area is set to expire on June 2028, hence, its application for renewal for another twenty-five (25) years.
Its franchise renewal application was filed at the Lower House of Congress on April 3, 2024 which was subsequently referred to the House Committee on Legislative Franchises which recommended for approval of the same through Committee Report No. 0l051. The House plenary approved the same bill granting the franchise on second reading on May 15, 2024 and finally, on third and final reading on May 21, 2024.
The House bill granting franchise renewal to AKELCO had been transmitted to the Senate on May 22, 2024 which is still pending until at present.
Admittedly, being the sole power distributor for the entire Province of Aklan and some parts of Capiz and Antique, AKELCO had been one of the catalysts in the socio-economic development of its franchised area by providing reliable, sustainable, and affordable electric distribution services to its members-consumers for almost five decades.
Since then, AKELCO had been relentless in its rural electrification program connecting far-flung areas in its franchised area through its missionary electrification
Contingency plan
Meanwhile, the comprehensive contingency plan put in place by MORE Power in Iloilo City included the preventive maintenance and dedicated response teams who inspected the electric lines days before the festival, or as early as Jan. 22.
The response teams were positioned in key festival locations such as the Freedom Grandstand, Iloilo Provincial Capitol building, food festival area, Delgado, Mabini, Quezon and Ledesma streets, SM, San Rafael and Megaworld area, and the Megaworld Substation Control Center.
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