ILOILO City — Six years after taking over Iloilo City’s power distribution system amid crippling service complaints, MORE Electric and Power Corporation (MORE Power) says it has slashed system loss to single digits, nearly doubled its customer base, and is now preparing to invest over P1 billion to build a fully digital, smarter grid.
Marking its sixth anniversary, MORE Power president and chief executive officer Roel Z. Castro framed the company’s journey as a turnaround from a troubled utility to a modernizing power distributor, citing measurable gains in reliability, efficiency, and consumer confidence.
“If you remember, when we started, there were complaints about brownouts, low voltage, wrong billing, and all of those,” Castro said. “But right now, most of what we receive are no longer complaints but concerns. For me, that is one important consideration to say that we were successful in the last five years.”
System loss down to 4.85%
Castro pointed to operational data as proof of the company’s transformation.
“We started six years ago with about 62,000 customers. Now, we are up to about 105,000 customers,” he said. “Our system loss when we started was about 29 to 30 percent. Now, we’re down to about 4.85 percent. For me, these are the real measurements to say that we were successful.”
System loss refers to electricity lost due to technical inefficiencies and pilferage. A reduction to 4.85 percent places the utility within regulatory thresholds and translates to improved efficiency and better cost management for consumers.
Castro also said infrastructure upgrades helped restore investor confidence in Iloilo City.
“The local government and the business sector have been very vocal in their support and in their observation of what we have contributed,” he said. “We were able to bring back the confidence of the business sector by bringing in all the infrastructure needed for reliable electricity.”
From rehabilitation to digital modernization
Castro described the company’s first phase as focused on stabilizing and rehabilitating an aging distribution system.
“In the last five years, it was really more of replacing, augmenting, and upgrading facilities,” he said. “Now, the next phase that we are starting to plan out is really modernization, especially the digitalization of our operations.”
A key component of this next phase is the installation of an Advanced Distribution Management System (ADMS), which will enable real-time monitoring and control of the network, faster response to outages, and improved load management.
Castro said modernization is necessary as more consumers generate their own electricity through rooftop solar systems.
“There is an evolving system now when it comes to electricity, because houses are already local generators,” he said. “Because of net metering installations, they can actually sell and send their energy to the distribution system. With this evolution, we have to have a system that can accommodate this and still make our operations efficient.”
P1B digital investment plan
To support this shift, MORE Power plans to allocate more than P1 billion over the next few years for digital infrastructure including automation, subject to regulatory approval.
“For the next few years, we’re allocating over P1 billion for the digitalization and automation of our system,” Castro said. “All of this is really to make the system more transparent, more efficient, and ultimately beneficial to our customers.”
He added that a smarter grid would help lower operating costs and enhance service quality, especially as competition in electricity supply increases.
“At the end of the day, the reason why we’re doing all of this is really for the customers,” Castro said. “We want to bring down costs, improve efficiency, and ensure that our customers benefit from a modern and reliable system.”
Expanding reach
Beyond Iloilo City, MORE Power is also expanding into newly covered areas in Iloilo Province, with many prospective customers, including big business enterprises, already signifying intent to connect.
“So far, we already have customers who have signified their intention to switch to us, and there are more in the pipeline,” Castro said. “Once all procedural and technical requirements are completed, we are confident they will be connected.”
Castro emphasized that reducing unscheduled outages remains a core commitment.
“We fulfilled our commitment to bring the resources needed to upgrade facilities and improve reliability,” he said. “Unscheduled outages are now under focused operational control, reinforcing our commitment to dependable service.”
As the utility enters its seventh year, Castro thanked consumers and stakeholders who supported the company through its transition.
“I would like to extend our gratitude to all our customers and stakeholders for believing in us,” he said. “Six years ago, we asked for time and space, and we promised that we would deliver. Everything that we are doing now is consistent with that commitment — to serve our customers better and bring more to life.”/PN
