ILOILO City – Power distributor MORE Electric and Power Corporation (MORE Power) is advancing its vision of a unified electricity rate across Iloilo, saying the move will simplify investment decisions and boost local economic growth.
According to MORE Power president and chief executive officer Roel Z. Castro, the concept of “One Iloilo, One Rate, One Service” aims to establish a gold standard of service across the province, ensuring that superior power reliability is guaranteed regardless of where a business decides to invest.
“The benefit of this is that investors won’t be confused about where to invest within Iloilo,” Castro said in an interview. “If the rate is the same, that (confusing) factor is removed from their decision-making.”
He explained that with uniform power rates, investors can instead focus on other considerations such as location, real estate cost, and business environment.
“You make it easier for them. Whether they go to the city or the province, the rate is the same. It will no longer be a point of decision. They can just decide where it is more practical for their business,” Castro added.
The vision is already taking shape as MORE Power continues to expand its services beyond Iloilo City into nearby areas in Iloilo province.
The company has begun supplying electricity to parts of the municipality of Pavia in Iloilo Province’s 2nd District, marking a significant step toward integrating power distribution across the province.
Several major establishments in Pavia have already transitioned to MORE Power, including the campus of University of St. La Salle that is currently under construction.
One of the most notable developments is the recent transfer of power supply of International Builders Corporation (IBC) to MORE Power. IBC became the first consumer in the company’s expanded franchise area to shift from another distribution utility — a move described as a historic first in the country. The transition was completed within just a few hours and was carried out without service interruption, demonstrating the company’s technical capability to handle large-scale migrations.
Following IBC’s transition, other establishments in Pavia also moved their power supply to MORE Power.
In Barangay Jibao-an, Pavia Iloilo Supermart became the first mall in the expanded franchise area to complete its migration.
Two more establishments, Panay News and a restaurant also successfully transitioned to the utility firm. The restaurant became the first in Pavia to switch to MORE Power, while Panay News marked the first publishing company in the municipality to do so.
Castro said these developments signal the gradual realization of a more integrated power distribution system across Iloilo. He emphasized that a unified rate structure not only benefits businesses but also supports long-term economic planning for the province.
“With the same rates across Iloilo, we are helping create a more attractive environment for investors,” Castro said.
“As more areas and establishments transition, the vision of ‘One Iloilo’ in terms of power distribution is already unfolding,” he added./PN