The power distribution utility of Iloilo City, More Electric and Power Corporation (MORE Power) expressed humility despite the improvements it delivered in three years time by vowing to #DoMORE as modernization effort remains incomplete and ongoing.
To backtrack, President Rodrigo R. Duterte signed Republic Act 11212 or the franchise of MORE Power in February 14, 2019. The denial of franchise renewal application of the former utility by Congress was a sigh of relief for the Ilonggos who have suffered from unjust and neglectful treatment as power consumers, inefficient and incompetent service, and exorbitant rates.
Hence, the signing of RA 11212 was a historical milestone for the Ilonggos, who, for the longest time, have aspired for better power services befitting of a modernizing economic center of the Visayas.
The efforts were among initially earmarked by the utility under its P1.7 billion modernization project for the city.
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The fulfillment of this aspiration was pinned to MORE Power Iloilo and it has by far delivered its promises ranging from infrastructure and power systems rehabilitation; new facilities and equipment; proactive consumers management; strong corporate social responsibility and private sector participation; optimum media utilization for information dissemination and public awareness; compliance to regulation policies and laws; social, environmental protection, livelihood and disaster relief programs, and more importantly, reduced rates.
Likewise, the power utility legitimized consumers who have become dependent on illegal connection because of the difficulty to generate the requirements needed to have a power connection from the previous provider. It simplified the application requirements for electricity connection and brought staff to the community to assist consumers who are unable to go to the office to process application.
The effort resulted to an increased number of legitimate power consumers from around 50,000 when it took over operations to more than 83,000 today.
It also launched a massive anti-pilferage campaign to rid barangays of illegal connection in coordination with the LGU and local PNP. Cases were filed in court which includes some of Iloilo City’s barangay officials and prominent names.
MORE Power also reduced power rates of Iloilo City in mid-2020 as a result of reconnecting to the Visayas power grid managed by the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) by establishing a 69-kilovolt transmission station in Brgy. Banuyao, La Paz.
The connection to the grid allowed MORE Power to enjoy lower power rate by tapping 100 percent of its supply requirement from the Unified Leyte Geothermal Power Plants ran by the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp (PSALM) and giving the utility access to the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) last year.
MORE Power also complied with Competitive Selection Process (CSP) to allow the utility to select its sources from numerous providers who can offer reliable supply at justifiable rate and from clean sources of energy.
#DoMORE for 3rd Anniversary and beyond
On its 3rd anniversary, the utility announced that it will pursue efforts under #DoMORE Initiatives in partnership with the Partners in Power Foundation. It is part of the company’s sustainability efforts towards a greener and more livable planet as key in improving the lives of the Ilonggos with the theme: “With MORE Power comes Great Sustainability.”
The month long anniversary celebration kicked off with a mass held at Jaro Cathedral last Heart’s Day and it was followed by a bloodletting activity.
Its green initiatives will be highlighted by mangrove and tree planting, fingerlings releasing at the Iloilo River, and urban gardening in selected communities, among others. It aims to plant 2,000 trees by the end of 2022 and it’s finalizing to adopt a new mangrove planting site in the coastal areas of Iloilo as part of its effort to increase fish catch at the Iloilo River.
Moreover, MORE Power will sustain support and promotion of urban gardening to provide the Ilonggos with cheap and healthy farm produce, an effort that gained appreciation during the COVID-19 lockdown.
These programs are designed to respond on the needs of the Ilonggos, provide complementary support to Iloilo City Government, and to bring MORE Power closer to the people in the communities.
More Power support to Iloilo Bike Capital PH
MORE Power Iloilo also support Iloilo’s growing bike culture. Last year, it organized “Bisikleta ko, Ka Date Ko!” in celebration of its 2nd anniversary.
The utility company has formed its own bike group and with its CEO Roel Castro and media officer Jonathan Cabrera among the most active.
The 2nd anniversary bike event was participated by around 1,407 bikers who pedaled some 28 kms around the city’s various districts. Many participants went home with a new bike and other prizes and goodies during the raffle.