Consumers on MORE Power’s performance (2)

• Second part of a series by IBS Digital Network’s round-up on power consumers of MORE Power Iloilo

• Ilonggo consumers talked about billing and the DU’s efforts of eliminating illegal connections

Consumers on MORE Power’s performance: More Electric and Power Corp. (MORE Power Iloilo) started operations as Iloilo City’s power distribution utility in 2020 at the height of the pandemic lockdown. In February this year, the utility company celebrated its second year as a franchise holder and it marked its first year of operations.

This is the second part of a series by IBS Digital Network’s round-up on MORE Power’s performance one year down the road. For this part, Ilonggo consumers talked about billing and the DU’s efforts of eliminating illegal connections, known to contribute to system loss which adds a burden to consumers. Read more: MORE Power Iloilo consumers bare thoughts on DU’s performance

MORE Power billing

“MORE Power’s billing charge is now less than P9/KWH, the lowest since they started and it’s in the summer month. Looks like their interconnection with other power suppliers is taking effect. System Loss is also at its lowest. That jumper bounty program seems to be working,” states Ian Van, a resident of Iloilo City as he bared the power usage for his commercial establishment in a table covering the period from June 2020 to May 2021.

MORE Power has been consistent in its efforts of making power supply reliable and rates affordable to the Ilonggos. Just this year, Iloilo City holds the record of having the cheapest power rates among major Visayan cities like Bacolod under the Central Negros Electric Cooperative (CENECO) and Cebu served by Visayan Electric Company (VECO).

In a comparative table of power rates last April, MORE Power registered a P10.28/kWh versus CENECO’s P11.11/kWh and VECO’s P11.94/kWh.

In its initial phase of operations, MORE Power was able to successfully bring down average residential rate from P11.31/kWh to P10.15/kWh or a P1.16/kWh for residential consumers.

Read Part 1: MORE Power Iloilo consumers bare thoughts on DU’s performance (1)

To recall, MORE Power scheduled substations shutdown in May this year, in coordination with the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), to facilitate the connection of its 69kV lines to the Visayas power grid. The re-connection to the grid will enable MORE Power to select power suppliers who can offer cheaper electricity rates through the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM).

Eradicating jumpers

“Okay na kay wala na jumper tungod sang pang kay-o nila ka posti,” said another power consumer Edzyl Improgo. He revealed that as rehabilitation and maintenance works are ongoing, MORE Power can see the real situation regarding power pilferage in the barangays.

“It’s time the ‘jumper community’ take responsibility for their actions,” Edzyl added.

The apprehension team of MORE Power has maintained its anti-illegal connection or anti-jumper campaign for over a year. The effort has rid many barangays of jumpers and last February it showcased Brgy. San Pedro in Molo as the first ‘jumper-free’ barangay in Iloilo City.

Barangay San Pedro was assessed with a high illegal connection rate for more than 50 percent of its 700 household population were without power meters and they are improperly connected to the power line of MORE Power.

Last part: Consumers on MORE Power’s performance (3)

MORE Power’s performance: The utility company addressed the problem by facilitating the application of around 300 households for connection and it installed power meters. Informal settlers were also offered connections under the Low Load Electricity program.

In addition, it also improved the technical and safety requirements in the area by establishing 17 poles and by enhancing supply stability through increased transformer capacity for the area. It also improved the physical well-being of the barangay by organizing the unsightly ‘spaghetti wires’ together with telecom companies.