BY LUIS BUENAFLOR JR.
AS A MATTER of fact, we are indeed talking about some of the best that MORE Electric and Power Corporation a.k.a. MORE Power has done for “I am Iloilo City” as its sole power distribution utility.
Needless to say, we won’t be mentioning that MORE Power has provided Iloilo City residents the lowest power rates in the country and still maintains a reasonable low rate despite all the geopolitical upheavals that affected the cost of power worldwide.
We will be focusing on MORE Power’s other side; it’s Corporate Social Responsibility persona as a corporate citizen of “I Am Iloilo City”.
It started five years ago and became an annual tradition with MORE Power to support charitable organizations, spreading kindness and love. The company focus its efforts on organizations that improve lives through education, healthcare, and essential services.
The beneficiaries MORE Power’s kindness and love are the Jaro Archdiocesan Social Action Center, St. Anne Parish – Molo, Asilo de Molo, Colegio de San Jose, St. Clement’s Parish Church, Assumption Iloilo, Carmelite Missionary – Jaro, Homeless People’s Federation Philippines, Inc., Red Cross Iloilo, and St. Dominic.
MORE Power president/CEO Roel Castro said, “We are honored to support those who selflessly contribute to improving our community. Together, we are committed to building a brighter and more compassionate Iloilo.”
Indeed, MORE Power’s outreach fosters unity, strengthens community ties, and brings joy to Iloilo by nurturing hope and resilience.
Moving on, the Iloilo City Council recently passed a resolution acknowledging the significant contributions of MORE Power to the city’s economic growth over the past five years.
The resolution highlights MORE Power’s key projects, including the P95-million underground distribution system, the illumination of historical plazas and churches, and various outreach programs such as mangrove planting, clean-up drives, and the annual release of fingerlings into the Iloilo River.
The resolution also highlights a study by the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) that estimates MORE Power has contributed P4.99 billion to the Iloilo City economy.
According to UA&P president Winston Conrad Padojinog, the 3.8% gross domestic product growth of Iloilo City can be attributed to the reliable service provided by MORE Power as an electric distribution utility. The study also found that MORE Power has generated 2,200 jobs annually and contributed P1.75 billion in revenue to the city from 2020 to 2022.
Without a doubt, the resolution emphasizes the City Council’s recognition of the positive impact of MORE Power on Iloilo City’s economic development.
When the Supreme Court says what you’re doing is right, then without a doubt you are right.
In a landmark decision promulgated recently, the Supreme Court En Banc ruled that electric cooperatives do not hold a constitutional right to exclusive franchises within their respective coverage areas.
The ruling dismissed the petition filed by Iloilo Electric Cooperative, Inc. I, II, and III (ILECOs) challenging the constitutionality of Republic Act No. 11918 which extends MORE Power’s franchise beyond Iloilo City to include 15 municipalities and the component city of Passi, areas previously under ILECO’s exclusive coverage.
Public utilities must prioritize public interest, noting that competition can improve services and reduce electricity costs.
The Supreme Court cited Section 11, Article XII of the Constitution, which prohibits exclusive franchises, stating that franchises are privileges granted by the state and must serve the common good as determined by Congress.
The SC noted that allowing MORE Power’s entry benefits consumers by offering a choice and avoiding monopolistic pricing, even before the three ILECOs’ franchises expire in 2029, 2039, and 2053.
Despite this obvious victory and magnanimous as always, MORE Power’s Castro expressed willingness to collaborate with the ILECOs for the benefit of consumers, allowing them to choose their preferred power distribution utility.
Finally, MORE Power customers can expect a much lower average residential electricity rate starting January 2025 at P10.9567 per kWh, reflecting a decrease of ₱0.4603 per kWh compared to December 2024.
To think, they’ve only been around for five years, meaning more of the best to come.
Well played, indeed./PN
