MORE’s ascent: An awakening for coops

As MORE Power plants its poles deeper into the fertile energy market of Iloilo, the long-standing Iloilo Electric Cooperative II (ILECO II) is suddenly springing into action, presenting a litany of improvements and investments.

But for the discerning consumer and observer, this belated flurry of activity begs the question: Why now?

ILECO II’s history of service, marked by higher rates and frequent outages, has long been a source of frustration for local residents. Yet, it is only with the looming presence of MORE Power, poised to deliver more flexible and cost-efficient power solutions, that ILECO II has unveiled ambitious plans to upgrade its infrastructure during a business symposium in Barotac Nuevo on March 15.

This reactionary stance casts a shadow over the cooperative’s years of meager investments and lack of foresight in keeping up with technological advancements and consumer needs.

ILECO II’s Technical Services Department may tout the cooperative’s recent undertakings as a testament to its commitment to consumer welfare. However, such assertions ring hollow when contrasted with their track record. It seems clear that MORE Power’s aggressive expansion and consumer-centric approach has jolted ILECO II out of complacency.

Indeed, ILECO II’s assurances at the recent business investment symposium do little to erase years of customer grievances. The cooperative’s pledge to “venture within the coverage area of ILECO II” with “sufficient capacity and capability” appears to be a case of too little, too late. And as ILECO II admits, a significant portion of their rates go towards generation costs, taxes, and government charges—factors that MORE Power has adeptly navigated to keep their tariffs lower.

For consumers, the narrative is not about who has the longest transmission lines or who reaches out to the barangays, as ILECO II claims. It is about who provides reliable service at a reasonable cost. It is about trust earned through consistent performance, not promises made in the face of competition. It is, fundamentally, about having the foresight to invest in infrastructure and services before the need becomes dire and the competition insurmountable.

MORE Power’s presence in the forum underscored the competition’s progressive mindset by detailing a 10-year plan that anticipates growth and innovation in energy distribution. This forward-thinking approach starkly contrasts with ILECO II’s last-minute scramble, which does more to highlight its past failings than inspire confidence in its future.

For the municipalities that fall under both ILECO II and MORE Power’s franchise areas, the advent of MORE Power could signify the beginning of an era where they are no longer at the mercy of a cooperative that only wakes up when its monopoly is threatened.

ILECO II’s current state of affairs—investing in substations and negotiating for solar power only as MORE Power encroaches—is a cautionary tale for all utilities. Resting on one’s laurels in an industry that is as dynamic and crucial as power distribution is not just complacency; it is a disservice to consumers who deserve better.

And now, as MORE Power readies itself to fulfill its mandate under Republic Act No. 11918, the clock is ticking for ILECO II. By the time their franchise ends in 2029, it may very well be that the consumers have already switched on to a power provider that understood their needs from the get-go.