Pavia wants cheaper power. It just switched to MORE Power

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

PAVIA, Iloilo — MORE Electric and Power Corp. (MORE Power) has energized the Pavia Municipal Hall. Pavia is now the first local government unit (LGU) to move its power distribution line to the private utility.

The move matters beyond the town hall. Local officials say the incumbent distributor was slow to fix leaning poles and to act on maintenance complaints. They are betting the switch will bring residents more reliable service and the lower electricity rates the town has long sought.

The transition could also serve as a test case for other towns in Iloilo province now weighing the same shift.

Mayor Laurence Anthony Gorriceta expects the Pavia LGU to become more efficient in delivering basic services after the transition, according to MORE Power.

The energization ceremony took place Monday, Oct. 26. Attending were Vice Mayor Edsel Gerochi and Sangguniang Bayan members Kevin Zaldarriaga and Gerard Zaldarriaga.

Representing MORE Power were Maricris Cabalhin, vice president for marketing, corporate affairs, and customer care; engineer Fil Sonza, quality assurance manager; and Maricon Garido, customer care manager.

“Very thankful gid sa MORE Power nga ginhatag sa aton nga oportunidad nga makaserbisyo sa banwa sang Pavia kay amon gid ginapangayo ang manubo nga rate,” said Gerochi.

The vice mayor thanked MORE Power for the chance to serve Pavia, noting that the town had long pushed for lower rates.

Gerochi said the decision is meant to benefit all Pavia residents, who will enjoy better service.

He said town officials had seen the difference in MORE Power’s service in Iloilo City. Barangays had complained to the municipal government about leaning poles and slow service from the previous utility, he added.

“Nakita namon sa Iloilo City first. Nakita namon ang difference sa iban nga electric distribution kag Nakita namon daku ang deperensya amo na nagsaylo kami. Actually, ang gakadto gid sa amon ang mga barangay nga nagareklamo sang mga poste nga tiko kag ila pagserbisyo madugay. Amo na ang barangay nagahatag sang resolusyon sa amon tapos nagahatag man kami resolusyon sa isa ka utility pero ga-follow up kami pila na ka bulan wala gid development pati ila maintenance madugay man. Rason man sa pag-transpire ang desisyon sang banwa sang Pavia sa pagsaylo sa MORE Power,” Gerochi added.

According to Gerochi, the barangays passed resolutions, and the municipal government forwarded its own resolution to the utility. Months of follow-ups produced no action, which led to the town’s decision to switch.

The switch traces back to a bill filed Sept. 20, 2021, by then-2nd District Rep. Michael Gorriceta and 4th District Rep. Braeden John Biron. The bill sought to give their constituents a modern and reliable power distribution utility.

The measure lapsed into law on July 30, 2022, as Republic Act 11918, amending MORE Power’s 25-year franchise. The law allowed the company to operate in Passi City and in 15 municipalities in Iloilo’s 2nd and 4th districts, Pavia among them.

The three Iloilo electric cooperatives challenged the law as unconstitutional and monopolistic, but the Supreme Court upheld the expansion with finality in 2025. MORE Power began extending service to parts of Pavia in January 2026.

A separate measure, House Bill 7647, which would expand MORE Power’s franchise to towns in Iloilo’s 1st District, cleared the House in March.

 

MORE bandwagon

Businesses and offices continue to transfer their electricity service to MORE Power. Among them is the Commission on Population and Development office in Pavia, which MORE Power describes as the first government office outside Iloilo City to make the switch.

New Panay Agri-Ventures Development Inc., a feed manufacturer based in Pavia, has also switched to MORE Power.

In San Miguel, Iloilo, the first commercial establishment to transfer to MORE Power was Egger Poultry Farm Inc.

“MORE Power is truly grateful for the trust given to us by our partners who chose us to be their trusted electric distributor. As we continue to invest in expansion to other municipalities, we also elevate the level of customer service that our partners will experience. We are glad to be part of the solution for our partners,” said Roel Z. Castro, MORE Power president and CEO.

To date, 21 accounts of various establishments in Iloilo province have switched to MORE Power. The company says this reflects consumer confidence in the distribution utility.

Pavia officials say the transition goes beyond a change of electricity provider. They describe it as a step toward better public service and lasting progress for the town’s residents.