‘CONSUMER DEMAND’: MORE Power: Expansion not part of dev’t plan but…

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

MORE Electric and Power Corp. (MORE Power) said expanding to the franchise areas of electric cooperatives was not originally part of its five-year development plan but was driven by numerous customer requests.

According to MORE Power President and CEO Roel Castro, the company’s expansion into other areas resulted from significant consumer demand.

“To be very candid, expansion was never in MORE Power’s plans. However, many consumers of electric cooperatives have expressed their desire to be connected,” Castro said.

He made the remarks in response to a question about whether MORE Power’s infrastructure improvements and development included expanding into new franchise areas.

Since taking over electricity distribution in Iloilo City from Panay Electric Company in 2020, Castro said MORE Power has achieved 120 percent of its original development goals.

Key areas in the company’s plan include infrastructure upgrades, modernizing and rehabilitating substations and feeders for reliable power distribution, and extending service to previously underserved areas.

“We have gone beyond expectations; in terms of line expansion and facilities, we have already achieved them. But that does not mean we are done,” Castro added.

Amid speculation of a possible joint venture agreement (JVA) with the Iloilo Electric Cooperatives (ILECOs), Castro said MORE Power is open to the idea if consumer demand warrants it.

“The JVA with the electric cooperatives has been discussed. If it benefits the consumers, then we will respond,” he emphasized.

MORE Power is set to expand its services to 15 towns, including Alimodian, Leganes, Leon, New Lucena, Pavia, San Miguel, Santa Barbara, and Zarraga in Iloilo’s 2nd District. It will also serve Anilao, Banate, Barotac Nuevo, Dingle, Duenas, Dumangas, San Enrique, and Passi City in the 4th District.

In Pavia, the local government has approved a resolution urging MORE Power to quickly begin expansion and consider a JVA with ILECO I.

“At the appropriate time, we will make the announcement, but there are already customers in Pavia who will be switching soon,” Castro added.

Castro revealed that he received the resolution from Pavia two weeks ago but has yet to respond due to the ongoing political climate, with the recent filing of candidacies for the midterm elections.

“The political environment is still tense, so I have set it aside for now, but we will definitely respond,” he said.

MORE Power currently has a JVA with Central Negros Electric Cooperative to modernize and improve power distribution within the cooperative’s franchise area.