LUIS BUENAFLOR JR.
INDEED, we are talking about MORE Electric and Power Corporation a.k.a. MORE Power, “I Am Iloilo City’s” sole power distribution utility and sooner than later will also be bringing to Bacolod City their brand of excellent service.
After geopolitics sort of calmed down and the volatile international power market — which caused that unusual spike in power rates — stabilized, MORE Power (exerting all humanely possible efforts) was able to bring down the price of electricity from a high of P13.25 per kWh to P12.29 per kWh and still going down to currently P11.65 per kWh. Yes, slowly but surely the price of electricity is going down.
In case you haven’t noticed, the decrease in MORE Power’s electricity rate has been consistent for six consecutive months this year; and they are confident that this will continue until the end of the year, hopefully, into the next year.
And they’re still at it, this time by actually refunding the bill deposit of qualified customers, the first power distribution utility to do so in almost a century in Iloilo City and the country.
In what could only be described as a historic first, MORE Power has started refunding the bill deposits of qualified consumers – those who have paid their bills religiously for 36 months in compliance of Article 7 of the Magna Carta for Residential Consumers. Article 7 mandates bill deposit refunds.
Three eligible households received refunds of their bill deposits from MORE Power president and chief executive officer Roel Castro at the power firm’s corporate office with Commissioner Alexis Lumbatan of the Energy Regulatory Commission as special guest.
Of course, Energy Regulatory Commission chairman Atty. Monalisa Dimalanta heaped praises to MORE Electric and Power Corporation’s bill deposit refund initiative and lower power rates saying;
“We encourage this culture of accountability among the regulated entities as demonstrated by MORE Power,” she said.
Other distribution utilities (DUs) should follow MORE Power, added Dilamanta.
Take note that for this year, MORE Power already projected its bill deposit refunds to reach over P5 million.
Moving on, every year MORE Power allocates resources to train its linemen, and this is to ensure the safety of its workforce and enhance their capabilities in the challenging field of live works.
Live work refers to the process of performing line repairs without cutting off the power supply, a highly dangerous task that requires expertise and precision.
This intensive training program aims to further enhance safety protocols and standard operating procedures especially in serving consumers so linesmen can perform tasks without causing a brownout.
Because of these continuous trainings, MORE Power has already achieved an impressive milestone, one million safe man-hours, underscoring their dedication to maintaining a secure working environment.
Meanwhile, Bacolod City’s Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez favors the joint venture agreement (JVA) between Central Negros Electric Cooperative (Ceneco) and Primelectric Holdings, Inc. (a sister company of MORE Power, the sole power distributor in Iloilo City) / Negros Electric Power Corporation (NEPC) to improve power distribution in the cooperative’s franchise areas.
He is also asking the people of Bacolod City to vote “yes” for the JVA’s ratification in a plebiscite.
“We are looking for better service,” Benitez told journalists interviewing him on June 18 during the city’s 85th Charter Day anniversary celebration.
The JVA will take effect once majority (50 percent plus one) of Ceneco’s member-consumer-owners will ratify it in a plebiscite through a “yes” vote.
Benitez disclosed to the media he is voting “yes”.
Well played, indeed, Nong Moroy./PN
