FIVE YEARS 5 and 10 days after, “I Am Iloilo City” transformed into a thriving and radiant city with a more affordable stable power supply. Along the way, power distribution infrastructure was upgraded to be at par with the 21st century with safe, efficient and sustainable energy solutions.
To think that five years earlier, “I Am Iloilo City’s” power landscape was groping in the dark courtesy of outdated infrastructure, frequent outages, topped by an incompetent and inefficient power distribution utility that hampered the city’s progress and made the lives of the Ilonggos miserable.
Fortunately for us, there’s always light at the end of the tunnel when MORE Electric and Power Corporation a.k.a. MORE Power took over as the city’s power provider in 2020. And in just half a decade, the company turned the tide, modernizing the grid, enhancing reliability, and empowering communities with its steadfast commitment to progress.
MORE Power restructured Iloilo City’s electric power distribution system, investing in cutting-edge substations, advanced metering systems, and modern transformers. These improvements drastically reduced system losses, curtailed power pilferage, and minimized outages, creating a more stable and efficient electricity supply.
The state-of-the art MORE Power Control Center operates 24/7 to ensure a stable power supply.
With smart grid technology and proactive maintenance, the city now enjoys fewer disruptions, better voltage quality, and an overall improved energy experience, positioning Iloilo as a leader in power innovation in the region.
Of course, MORE Power has always prioritized the safety of its employees and the community. The company recently marked an extraordinary milestone — two million safe man-hours without a lost time incident, a testament to its rigorous safety protocols and dedication to workplace well-being.
Under the theme “2 Million Hours Strong: Safety at the Heart of Our Power”, MORE Power celebrated this achievement with a week-long series of events : First Aid Olympics, a Safety and Health Quiz Bee, and the recognition of outstanding safety champions. This milestone not only reflects the company’s commitment to excellence but also sets the bar higher for the entire industry.
In a wholehearted ceremony marking its 5th anniversary of operation in Iloilo City, MORE Power president/CEO Roel Castro, recognizing the dedication and hard work of its employees, highlighting their instrumental role in transforming the city’s power landscape, said:
“Your batch has endured and has stayed with the company not because you just want work but because you believe in the company, you believe in the mission, that’s why you’ve stayed.
“We have already pumped in another P2 billion in five years to ensure that the infrastructure, the facilities, and all the hardware will be state-of-the-art. That is only half of the story. The other half of the story is kayo.”
Moving on, in its five-year watch, MORE Power is the epitome of what Corporate Social Responsibility should be, with their commitment to being a partner of “I Am Iloilo City” beyond just providing a stable and affordable power supply.
As part of the 5th anniversary celebrations, MORE Power launched Harvest Festival to Support Sustainability and Local Farmers.
The Harvest Festival stands as a testament to its long-term commitment to sustainability and community development. By maintaining the trees and plants from past initiatives, this program continues to support food security, sustainable agriculture, and local farmers in partnership with the City Agricultural Office, Allied Botanical Corporation, and Uswag Nursery.
Through seed distribution, crop monitoring, and educational activities, MORE Power ensures that past green efforts keep growing while helping farmers adopt better farming techniques.
Meanwhile, MORE Power and the Philippine Science High School signed a MOA establishing a seedling nursery for environmental sustainability at the school’s Brgy. Bito-on, Jaro campus.
This partnership ensures the sustainability of reforestation efforts, with PSHS students and faculty actively involved nurturing not just trees but a future committed to environmental stewardship.
At the end of the day, MORE Power’s president/CEO Roel Castro’s lovely and infectious smile is perhaps one of its greatest assets./PN
