SO THERE I was in Starbucks, enjoying my usual caffeine fix and watching the world go by, when this guy walked up to me and asked, “You’re that bloke from Panay News, right?”
Then he followed up, “Tell me, what has ‘Nong Moroy’ been up to these days?”
Well, aside from finding ways to lower power rates and delivering their signature brand of excellent service, I’d say — a lot.
For starters, you could say this is just another service upgrade. But no — it’s definitely a step beyond that. This one is groundbreaking and certainly not the kind of thing you’d expect from those charming but outdated relics of rural electrification, i.e., the electric cooperatives.
In what can only be described as a landmark move toward digital transformation, MORE Electric and Power Corporation — also known as MORE Power — and Electro Premier Venture International Incorporated recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for a pilot project that will implement an Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) System in Iloilo City.
This initiative is aligned with the Energy Regulatory Commission’s guidelines under the Rules to Govern the Implementation of the Advanced Metering Infrastructure System by Distribution Utilities and ERC-Authorized Entities — or what most refer to as the “AMI Rules.”
What makes this project groundbreaking is that it will serve as a test bed to evaluate important assumptions on cost, technology, and implementation strategies before the full Program Delivery Plan is launched.
Under the MOA, Electro Premier Venture International Incorporated will supply, install, and commission a complete AMI system. This includes the Head End System (HES) and the necessary communication infrastructure.
The initial rollout involves 90 Single-Phase Smart Meters for residential users and 10 Three-Phase Smart Meters for commercial customers — plus all the supporting hardware, software, and services needed to ensure the project’s success.
The AMI Pilot Project will benefit both residential and commercial customers under the “I Am Iloilo City” coverage area.
And here’s a key detail: Electro Premier Venture will shoulder the cost of the entire pilot project. Once installed, the AMI technology will enable better demand-side management and promote energy efficiency by giving customers tools to monitor and manage their electricity consumption in real-time.
In addition, features like outage detection, meter irregularity alerts, and remote capabilities — such as connecting, disconnecting, and reconnecting service — will greatly improve reliability and operational efficiency.
And it doesn’t stop there. In its quest to further enhance customer service, MORE Power recently integrated Artificial Intelligence (AI) into its core operations — becoming one of the first in the industry to take this bold step toward efficiency.
This innovation is made possible through a partnership with the Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT-U).
According to MORE Power President and CEO Roel Castro, the AI system is designed to empower — not replace — the company’s workforce. A valid concern, of course, whenever AI enters the picture.
“The AI will enable the analysis of big data — recurring data that will give us predictive prescriptions,” Castro explained. “We want to see the bigger picture, even from a single report ticket. When calls are made, usually the dispatcher creates the ticket, which is then forwarded to the lineman in the field.”
Once the problem is fixed, they move on to the next ticket.
But here’s the catch — MORE Power wants to be sure that the root cause of a recurring issue is actually addressed. Some customers, after all, have been reporting the same problems for years.
It’s hard to see that pattern from the ground. To see the bigger picture, you need the ability to process massive data and draw insights. That’s where AI steps in.
Indeed, “Nong Moroy” has been quite busy. Beyond working to bring down electricity rates, MORE Power is always on the lookout for innovative ways to improve what’s already an exceptional standard of service.
Now, just imagine if we could truly achieve One Iloilo, One Rate, One Provider — the possibilities would be endless. /PN
