IN TODAY’S business, it is no longer just enough to earn profit and along the way pay your taxes. There’s this thing called corporate social responsibility. This is not a new thing; it has been there for sometime. The sad fact is that it is still alien to some businesses.
Corporate social responsibility is a type of international private business self-regulation that aims to contribute to societal goals of a philanthropic, activist or charitable nature by engaging in or supporting volunteering or ethically-oriented practices.
For almost a century, “I Am Iloilo City” has been “served” by a power distribution utility where corporate social responsibility seems like an alien concept. Consumers never experienced what it was because this erstwhile power distribution utility was never a “good corporate citizen” (they might not even know the meaning of the phrase). They were just there for the profit.
But all that changed when MORE Power took over as “I Am Iloilo City’s” power distribution utility. Since then Iloilo City experienced change – a change for good. The order of the day is to provide excellent customer service and upgrade the power distribution facilities to be at par with the 21st century within the next five years.
So what is corporate social responsibility all about?
Since it started as the power distribution utility of Iloilo City, MORE Power has been one if not the biggest supporter of the city’s environmental programs. It has been releasing juvenile fishes into the Iloilo River not only to replenish the stock but to improve the river’s ecosystem as well as provide food and livelihood for local fishermen in cooperation with the city government
Just last week, MORE Power’s Guardians of the Environment and employee volunteers planted 300 tree saplings at the Global Business Power – Eco Park in Barangay Ingore, La Paz. It was part of its commitment to environmental stewardship.
Also last February 2022, MORE Power conducted a tree planting activity as part of their 3rd Anniversary celebration.
This year, the goal is to plant 2,000 trees until December and ensure that the saplings will thrive.
Of course, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic MORE Power donated facemasks, alcohol, much needed vaccines, energized quarantine checkpoints and centers, and more importantly adjusted their policies so that no disconnection will happen to those subscribers who missed their dues.
And that is what being a good corporate citizen with corporate social responsibility all about.
Take note that when Typhoon “Paeng” decided to wreck havoc on Iloilo City, the frontliners (linesmen) braved the strong wind and rain to do their job and averted a citywide power blackout.
To honor these brave men, the linesmen/repair crew, MORE Power celebrates Lineman’s Day every second Saturday of November. Linesmen often work in challenging conditions to keep the lights on and the business running 24/7.
It is this dedication that helps MORE Power to consistently accomplish the company’s mission to deliver quality, reliable and cost-efficient electric power services to consumers./PN
