THE OTHER DAY, while having my usual caffeine fix over Jazz and conversation with an old friend at Starbucks, she casually mentioned, “You seem to be writing a lot about MORE Power these days.”
Indeed, I do because there’s more (pun intended) about that power distribution utility than meets the eye, and in an industry that’s basically boring except when there’s a power failure, I do find them rather interesting.
And here’s the gist of our dangling conversation about MORE Power:
For starters, MORE Power is so completely the opposite of “I Am Iloilo City’s” former power distribution utility. They’re not only serious about their corporate social responsibilities and are actually doing it; they also find ways to endear themselves to their subscribers.
To make billing stress-free and easily accessible, MORE Power launched its E-Billing Program on Sept. 1, allowing customers to receive and manage their bills electronically. The program not only simplifies the billing process but also provides an opportunity for customers to win prizes.
According to Maricris Cabalhin, MORE Power’s Customer Care Head, registered E-Billing users will automatically qualify for the monthly raffle, giving them a chance to win P500 worth of E-Gifts in each draw from September to November.
Meanwhile, the December and January draws will have 20 winners receiving P1,000 worth of E-Gifts, along with the regular P500 winners.
The Grand Draw is on February 2024, coinciding with MORE Power’s 5th Anniversary. Participants get a chance to win an E-Bike or an E-4-wheel vehicle.
The first draw had 50 lucky winners, each receiving Php500 worth of E-Gifts while the second monthly draw is on Oct. 27, 2023.
Moving on, just recently, MORE Power conducted random drug testing among its employees, both regular and contractual.
According to Daphne Karina de Pedro, AVP for Human Capital Management of MORE Power, the random drug test is based on the Department of Labor and Employment’s Order 5303, series of 2003 which states that private companies should implement a drug-free workplace.
“Considering that we are an electric utility, when our employees go out in the field, we are sure the community is safe because our employees are drug-free. Our workplace here is drug-free,” she said.
Anyone found positive, will undergo confirmatory drug testing. If still found positive, the employee will undergo due process.
MORE Power management reiterates its stance on prohibiting the use of illegal drugs among its employees and personnel. Even third party contractors were also obliged to implement their drug testing.
I don’t seem to recall the defunct former power distribution utility doing anything of that sort.
And the conversation gets more (again, pun intended) interesting. Body cameras are usually associated with law enforcement agencies, particularly the police, you know the stuff you see on Netflix.
Who would have thought that it’s now standard operating procedure or SOP with the security guards of MORE Power? But then again that’s MORE Power, not your usual power distribution utility.
Since April, for transparency and accountability in their operations, the security personnel assisting the Systems Loss Reduction Program Teams of MORE Power are using body-worn cameras (BWCs).
BWCs are small, portable cameras that record video and audio footage and attached to an individual’s clothing or equipment.
The use of BWCs is a proactive approach to increase public trust in its operations.
The cameras are worn by its security personnel during apprehension operations and subsequently, are intended to be used by the personnel of other field contractors conducting meter reading, line patrols, distribution of billing statements, and other similar activities.
Of course, MORE Power assures customers that it respects their right to privacy. Before any recording can be done, its security personnel will inform the subjects they’re using BWCs and ask for permission.
Plus, MORE Power has put in place strict guidelines for the handling and storage of data obtained through BWCs.
So why a “dangling conversation”, you may ask. Because it didn’t stop there. There’s more to talk about MORE Power./PN
