Manila, Sept. 25 -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has signed into law Republic Act (RA) 12306, granting the Pampanga Rural Electric Service Cooperative (PRESCO) Inc. a 25-year franchise to operate and maintain a power distribution system in four towns of Pampanga province.

The new law, signed by the President last Sept. 18, allows PRESCO to construct, install, establish, manage, and operate facilities for the distribution of electricity in 34 barangays across the municipalities of Mexico, Arayat, Sta. Ana, and Magalang.

Under the franchise, PRESCO is mandated to provide reliable and affordable electricity service, ensure non-discriminatory access to its system, and promote consumer protection through a dedicated consumer desk.

It i...