MORE Power in the right direction, says IIEE head

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

 

Iloilo City’s sole power distributor is competent enough and treading in the right direction.

This was the confirmation issued by Engr. Allan Biton, Iloilo Chapter president of the Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers (IIEE) of the Philippines, before members of the City Council on Tuesday during the fact-finding investigation it conducted on MORE Power relative to the recent trip-offs and abnormalities that struck the distribution utility.

Speaking from a technical standpoint, Biton emphasized that MORE Power has been “addressing the technical challenges with a sufficient team of technical experts which is important in solving issues early on before they pose a more complex problem in the future that may endanger Ilonggo consumers.”

Invited by Councilor Romel Duron, chairman of the SP Committee on Public Utilities, as one of the resource persons during the investigation, Biton said the 13-hour scheduled maintenance works implemented by MORE Power on substations and power lines are proactive measures to ensure better services in the future.

In its report to the council, MORE Power described the 13-hour maintenance as a much-needed requirement to ensure the functionality of the facilities it took over from PECO, which have been operating beyond safe levels, therefore violates the mandates of the Energy Regulatory Commission.

MORE Power insisted that regular preventive maintenance works like the 13-hour maintenance are a must as provided for by the Philippine Distribution Code “to reverse the impacts of unmaintained facilities such as fast deterioration of transformers and all other operating equipment, the high risk of equipment breaking down, overloading and explosions leading to interruptions.”

The distribution utility also replaced rotting electric poles and cross-arms in distribution and feeder lines.

MORE Power said the repair and maintenance are necessary to extend the life of the substation and prevent breakdowns which could lead to massive and prolonged brownouts.

It will also become the benchmark on the conditions of the facilities which will become the basis for future Preventive Maintenance Services and prevent bigger problems and long power outages.

“To rehabilitate and make the system reliable is something that cannot be done overnight,” MORE Power president Roel Castro said.

 

SATISFIED, JUSTIFIED

 

Duron lauded the presence of MORE Power yesterday saying he was very satisfied on the explanations given by MORE power on the prevailing issues.

“I believe that their reason on the recent outages is justifiable especially that what they have taken over are facilities that are old and dilapidated,” Duron said.

Councilor Jay Treñas said he appreciated the presence of MORE Power officials in the hearing as he noted that it was different from the practice of the former power provider.

“Their presence only shows sincerity and transparency on the part of MORE Power and it’s good that they are coordinating with the city. To me it’s not about the question of who is supplying power to the city of Iloilo but it is the concern that counts a lot,” he said.

Treñas was apparently referring to PECO, the former power distributor, which snubbed the invitations of the City Council in the past.

Councilor Alan Zaldivar intimated that MORE Power presented its point very well although it was very precise and simple.

“I was very thankful that MORE is trying its very best to address the challenges that concerns the sentiments of the consumers. It is very clear that they are committed to serve the public with their best. I felt it and I believe they will,” he noted.