MORE Power for Iloilo Province

YES, LITERALLY expect in the coming months before the year ends. Iloilo Province will have a surge not from the dreaded virus but electric power as MORE Power begins its expansion starting with the progressive town of Pavia.

All systems go for the power distribution utility to bring its excellent brand of service to Iloilo Province. They’re just waiting for the official communication from Congress and Malacañang on the effectivity of the law. 

And when that happens expect brand new substations, concrete poles, electrical wires, transformers, electric meters, and new vehicles in the areas included in the expanded franchise.

Republic Act 11918 expands MORE Power’s coverage area to 15 municipalities and one city – Pavia, Santa Barbara, Alimodian, Leon, San Miguel, New Lucena, Zarraga, Leganes, Dumangas, Barotac Nuevo, Dingle, Dueñas, Banate, Anilao, San Enrique, and Passi City. 

A very reliable source whispered to me that MORE Power has on hand P8 billion and more (pun intended) if needed for this foray into Iloilo Province. If this is confirmed, all I can say is this is unprecedented in the almost 100 years under the watch of erstwhile power distribution utility, the defunct Panay Electric Company.

A brand new 30/36MVA substation in Megaworld in Mandurriao district will temporarily serve the power requirements of the area in Pavia once everything is in place.

This 30/36MVA Power Transformer that’s expected to arrive in Iloilo City sometime August will be energized in the last quarter of this year in time for the peak season and implementation of Phase 1 of the expansion.

On top of that, MORE Power has already purchased the necessary equipment and materials which will initially be used in outlining the service areas. Likewise, the company already hired additional personnel to perform the tasks. 

MORE Power estimates it will take around five years before they will be able to finish the entire scope of work for the 15 towns and Passi City.

Last week, Aug. 11 to be exact, there was a power utilities round table discussion initiated by the Iloilo Local Economic Development and Investment Promotion (LEDIP).

It seems Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. wanted to know the inputs of power utilities straight from their mouths, bearing in mind that the power sector is one of the four major fundamentals for the economic growth of the province.

In that meeting were Iloilo Electric Cooperatives 1, 2 and 3, MORE Electric and Power Corporation, Palm Concepcion Power Corp., and Global Business Power.

To answer the Governor’s query. they presented their plans, current infrastructures, substations and facilities’ locations, and energy load capacities.

We are going to focus on MORE Power’s presentation. Excerpts from an Aug. 11, 2022 article in Panay News:

According to Roel Castro, president and chief executive officer of MORE Power, in addition to the 30/36 MVA substation in Megaworld that will serve the load requirement of Pavia, they will also put up brand new and state-of-the-art substations in Santa Barbara and Dumangas with a load capacity of 30/36MVA and 15/25MVA, respectively. These are the areas being considered as economic corridors of the province. 

In addition, MORE Power will also put up substations in Passi City, San Miguel and Anilao with an overall dependable capacity of 130MVA. 

Brand new and reliable distribution network facilities and vehicles will be put in place in the 15 municipalities and Passi City within five years from the effectivity of MORE
Power’s franchise expansion law.

Castro assured Defensor and LEDIP that the private power distribution utility is capable of implementing those projects.

“We have the available financial resources to fund Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) to immediately address the growing demand,” Castro said.

We’re not talking about the other distribution utility companies’ presentation. Not that they’re irrelevant. But MORE Power has the biggest potential to fulfill the power needs of Iloilo Province for growth.

And this is what MORE Power has to say about their inevitable expansion to Iloilo Province (excerpts from the Aug. 10, 2022 issue of Panay News):

There will be no takeover. Instead, the Iloilo Electric Cooperative will still be operating in these areas. 

According to Castro, this is very beneficial to consumers because they will be given a choice of who they want to provide them with quality and better service. 

MORE Power is open to discussions with ILECO on possible partnerships and collaboration for the benefit of the consumers.

“We will reach out to them. There’s a way that we can cooperate for the convenience of consumers,” according to the president of MORE Power.

I would not be surprised if Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. will soon be gushing with pride saying that “MORE Power is a reliable partner for the development of Iloilo Province”./PN