INDEED, MORE Electric and Power Corporation — better known as MORE Power and “I Am Iloilo City’s” and soon to be Iloilo Province’s sole power distribution utility — has once again set the standard for what a distribution utility should be. And we are talking about more than just providing safe, reliable, and affordable electricity.
Recently, the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) visited Iloilo City to promote the Expanded Lifeline Rate Program. Much to their pleasant surprise, Iloilo City and MORE Power had already been implementing the original Lifeline Rate Program since its launch in July 2023 — well ahead of other cities.
To date, Iloilo City has 6,310 Lifeline Program beneficiaries: 4,360 from the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), with the remainder coming from indigent and marginalized communities.
Under the Expanded Lifeline Rate Program, 4Ps households consuming 50 kWh or less per month receive a 100% discount, with automatic enrollment.
Speaking of which, DOE Secretary Sharon Garin recently highlighted Iloilo City’s significant 14% increase in power demand in 2025 — well above the national average.
According to Garin, this growth stems from programs led by Mayor Raisa Treñas in collaboration with MORE Power.
She noted that this reflects progress not only in business but also in households, as consumers gain the capacity to purchase additional electrical appliances — a key driver of the city’s rising energy demand.
The success of the collaboration between Iloilo City and MORE Power earned this favorable remark from Garin: “I have to say, ang mga policies sang LGU (local government unit), together with MORE Power, is one of the best in the country. Gina-copy ina namon ang programa diri sa Iloilo City.”
And that is what proactive policies are all about — prompting national government agencies to draw inspiration and replicate successful models.
Meanwhile, the ERC also commended MORE Power’s Lifeline Rate Program and Bill Deposit Refund initiative.
To date, MORE Power has refunded P9.2 million in bill deposits to 1,421 consumer accounts that have consistently paid their bills on time for 36 consecutive months.
This is in compliance with the Magna Carta for Residential Electricity Consumers, which requires distribution utilities to refund deposits after such consistent payment behavior.
Moving on, MORE Power, along with its sister company Negros Electric and Power Corporation, received plaques of appreciation from the DOE for their timely and full compliance with reportorial requirements.
The recognition highlights the two distribution utilities’ adherence to DOE Department Circular No. DC2023-03-0005. This circular provides supplemental policies for the systematic management of DOE reportorial requirements in the electric power industry, ensuring accurate data flow among industry participants for the year 2025.
MORE Power serves Iloilo City and nearby areas in Iloilo province, while Negros Power operates in Central Negros as the sole electric power distributor. Their efforts support the DOE’s data-driven Visayas grid — an essential component in the region’s recovery post-El Niño and in ongoing electrification efforts.
According to Roel Z. Castro, president and chief executive officer of both MORE Power and Negros Power, “Full compliance equips DOE with important insights that may contribute to accelerating projects like grid modernization and renewable energy rollout. Timely reporting also helps streamline DOE approvals, reduce delays, and advance national electrification targets.”
For developing and progressive LGUs, having a power distribution utility that provides safe, stable, reliable, and affordable electricity is indeed de rigueur.
“I Am Iloilo City,” and soon Iloilo Province, are fortunate — nay, blessed — to have MORE Electric and Power Corporation as a partner in progress and beyond.
As usual, well played, MORE Power./PN
