MANILA, Philippines- Aprubado na House Committee on Legislative Franchises ang bagong aplikasyon ng Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) para sa 25 taong prangkisa.
Ayon kay Committee Chairman Paranaque City Rep. Gus Tambunting, ang pag-apruba sa franchise renewal ng Meralco ay bunsod na rin ng pagsuporta ng mga mambabatas at iba’t ibang business organizations.
Tatlong panukala ang nakahain sa Kamara partikular ang House Bill (HB) Nos.9793, 9813 at 10317 na humihiling na bigyan ng mas maagang extension ng kanilang prangkisa ang Meralco na nakatakda nang mag-expire sa taong 2028.
“For the past few months we have held meetings to discuss the franchise application of Meralco. Since then, we have received various letters of support from two dozen business groups, including industry federations as well as the Japanese and British chambers of commerce,” pahayag ni Tambunting.
Samantala, sinabi ni Albay Rep. at House Committee on Ways and Means Chairman Joey Salceda na inaasahan niyang magiging mabilis ang pag-apruba ng Meralco franchise sa pagtalakay nito sa House Plenary.
“The role of the franchise review process in Congress is to see whether a grantee has complied with its mandates. In this regard, there can be little question. Meralco has fulfilled its end of the current franchise law,” pagtatapos ni Salceda. Gail Mendoza
