Iloilo City has experienced rapid economic growth over the past five years, significantly contributed by the efficient services of More Electric and Power Corporation (More Power), according to a study by the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P).
“On average, what is injected into the economy of Iloilo is close to P5 billion, or almost 4% of the city’s economy. That’s quite significant,” stated UA&P President Winston Conrad Padojinog.
Padojinog highlighted that strategic investments and operational improvements by More Power, including upgrading equipment and system rehabilitation, were key factors in revenue growth.
He noted that More Power contributes approximately 3.8% to the city’s gross domestic product, including 2,200 jobs provided by the company annually, equating to an additional P1.75 billion in income.
“A reliable utility infrastructure provider has reverberating effects on an economy. Conversely, an unreliable provider can lead to rent-seeking behavior,” Padojinog added.
Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas acknowledged that changing their distribution utility in 2020 was “crucial” to the city’s current economic prosperity, emphasizing that a robust electrical landscape is essential for local governments to unlock economic growth.
“Since taking over the city’s power distribution in 2020, MORE Power has played a crucial role in transforming Iloilo City,” Treñas stated.
Treñas noted that the “extensive infrastructure improvements” executed by More Power since 2020 have yielded substantial benefits for both consumers and the local economy.
Achievements by More Power include the rehabilitation of the Molo Substation, untouched by maintenance for 23 years; the overhaul of the Jaro Substation, which operated for 31 years without proper maintenance; and the repair of the Mandurriao Substation, which had 28 years of deferred maintenance leading to power interruptions.
Currently, there has been a 93% reduction in interruption frequency in Iloilo City.
More Power also established a new Control Center equipped with mapping software capability, real-time location mapping, and a 24/7 customer query response system.
When More Power started its operations in Iloilo City in March 2020, the system loss being shouldered by customers was 30.10%. This was reduced to 18.98% within six months after More Power took over. After five years, it was further lowered to 5.94% due to system improvements made by the utility.
Over five years, More Power replaced a total of 6,838 posts; installed 1,376 new transformers; and added 56,794 new electric meters.
More Power currently offers the lowest electricity rates in the region, at P11.14 per kWh.
The “More Konek” initiative ensures that every household has electricity and no illegal connections exist. With the application process brought down to the barangay level, active customers have increased to 100,070 from 59,940 in 2020.
Based on Iloilo City’s economic data, for every P1 invested by More Power, there is a P1.28 contribution to local economic activity.
