WHEN MORE Electric and Power Corporation (MORE Power) took over as the sole power distribution utility of “I Am Iloilo City” from an antiquated and dilapidated power provider beset with numerous problems, the company began with an initial investment of P2.5 billion under a five-year plan focused on stabilizing and rehabilitating an aging distribution system.
Now, six years later, MORE Power is preparing to invest more than P1 billion to build a fully digital and smarter power grid.
As MORE Power president and CEO Roel Castro recalled the company’s journey, it has evolved from a troubled utility into a modernizing power distributor, with measurable improvements 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, 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.”
Let us look at the facts of MORE Power’s journey since day one.
The company started six years ago with about 62,000 customers. Today, that number has grown to around 105,000 customers and counting. System loss, which previously stood at about 29 to 30 percent, has been reduced dramatically to around 4.85 percent. These tangible figures speak strongly about the company’s progress.
On top of that, both the local government and the business sector have been vocal in expressing their support and recognition of what MORE Power has accomplished. By investing in the infrastructure necessary for reliable electricity, the company has helped restore the confidence of the business community.
Castro described the company’s first five years as a period devoted to stabilizing and rehabilitating an aging distribution system—replacing, augmenting, and upgrading critical facilities. The next phase, he said, will focus on modernization, particularly the digitalization of operations.
An important component of this next phase is the installation of an Advanced Distribution Management System (ADMS). This system will enable real-time monitoring and control of the network, allow faster responses to outages, and improve load management.
This initiative also anticipates the evolving nature of electricity systems, especially as more homes begin generating their own power through rooftop solar installations.
Through net metering, households can sell or send excess electricity back to the distribution system. With this development, there is a growing need for a system capable of accommodating these changes while maintaining efficient utility operations.
Ultimately, the motivation behind these investments is to make the system more transparent and efficient. A smarter grid can help lower operating costs and improve service quality, especially as competition in electricity supply continues to increase—benefiting consumers in the long run.
Moving forward, MORE Power is no longer looking only within “I Am Iloilo City.” The company has begun expanding operations into newly covered areas in Iloilo Province, particularly in the progressive municipality of Pavia, where many prospective customers—including large business enterprises—are already making the switch.
Among the first establishments to transfer their power connections to MORE Power were International Builders Corporation, Iloilo Supermart, Marlu’s Restaurant, and Panay News.
These four major establishments represent only the beginning. More than 10 additional establishments in the 2nd District are scheduled to migrate within the first quarter of the year.
All these developments suggest that MORE Power shows no signs of slowing down. Instead, the company is doubling down on its promise to deliver stable and high-quality electricity—not only in Iloilo City but also in surrounding municipalities within its expanded franchise.
At the same time, the company continues to improve the customer experience as it expands into more towns while rolling out smarter technologies to ensure smoother operations.
Today, MORE Power operates eight substations with a total capacity of 252.2 MVA, with another substation currently under construction and targeted for completion this year. The company is also planning to diversify its energy mix further and increase the use of renewable energy sources to help keep electricity prices reasonable.
Indeed, well played./PN
