MORE POWER EMPLOYEES PLANT 500 NARRA TREE SAPLINGS IN AGONY HILL, ALIMODIAN

Alimodian, Iloilo – MORE Electric and Power Corporation employees braved the heat and hiked the steep slopes of Agony Hill in Alimodian, Iloilo, carrying 500 narra tree saplings for a tree-planting activity. More than 50 employees joined the initiative in coordination with the Alimodian Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office and the Alimodian Local Government Unit. “This activity reflects MORE Power’s core commitment to environmental responsibility. Every year, we conduct similar initiatives to engage with our consumers and demonstrate that MORE Power goes beyond delivering quality service as a distribution utility but also extending its efforts for the community. We would like to extend our gratitude to the cooperation of the Alimodian Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office headed by, Engineer Reno Alquisada and most especially to Mayor Ian Kenneth Alfeche for allowing us to execute this activity,” said Engineer Ronald Torres, Chief Operating Officer of MORE Power.

MORE Power has been active in programs that aim to help communities, including tree-planting initiatives not only in Iloilo City but also in Iloilo Province, where it now serves towns such as Alimodian. “It is very important to have this kind of activity. Since MORE Power started here in Iloilo City, various activities and partnerships with LGU and other stakeholders have been conducted. We will continue to support initiatives that promote environmental sustainability and strengthen community partnerships”, said Engineer Torres. Since taking over power distribution in Iloilo City, MORE Power has exceeded its commitment to plant 10,000 trees in the city, planting 14,000 tree saplings through various community initiatives. By continuing these efforts in both the city and the province, the company aims to contribute to their shared sustainability aspirations by supporting greener communities, biodiversity conservation, and long-term environmental resilience for the benefit of Ilonggos.

Mother of Child on the Autism Spectrum Expresses Gratitude to SM City Iloilo Security Guards

ILOILO CITY — A simple act of assistance and care brought immense relief to a mother who became worried after being separated from her child, who is on the autism spectrum, at SM City Iloilo. In a letter sent on October 11, 2026, the mother expressed her gratitude to two security guards, SG Jomar Bautista and LG Lee Joy Panoy, who assisted her child after the latter became separated from her inside the mall.

According to the information shared by the mother, her child approached the guards after getting lost and realizing that his cellphone had been left behind. The guards immediately lent the child a cellphone so they could contact the mother. Their assistance did not stop there. They also stayed with the child and ensured her safety and well-being while waiting for the mother's arrival. For any parent, not knowing the whereabouts or condition of their child can be an extremely distressing experience. However, through the prompt assistance and attentive care of the two guards, the mother found relief upon confirming that her child was safe. Through the letter sent to SM Customer Care, the management of SM City Iloilo learned about the incident and the exemplary service demonstrated by the guards. Although their actions may have seemed simple, they reflected a deeper meaning of service: respecting every individual, understanding their circumstances, and providing assistance with compassion and dignity. It can be noted that SM City Iloilo also regularly conducts seminars for its security and maintenance personnel, together with its tenants, to reinforce awareness and provide guidance on how to appropriately assist and care for customers with special needs.

MORE Power Bags Apex Company of the Year

MANILA, Philippines – MORE Electric and Power Corporation (MORE Power) took home the prestigious APEX Company of the Year award, held on October 13, 2026, at the Marriott Grand Ballroom, Resorts World Manila. MORE Power President and CEO Mr. Roel Castro received the award beaming with pride. Castro was also a finalist in the Asia CEO Awards. The APEX Company of the Year is awarded to companies that show significant innovation, contribute to economic advancement, demonstrate strategic leadership, and drive national transformation.

“APEX company of the year recognizes companies that have achieved something significant but more importantly companies whose success can impact beyond their own organization,” says Haidee Enriquez of Microsourcing Group. As a distribution utility, MORE Power strengthened its services in more than six years. It capitalized on rehabilitating the substations, put up new substations, put up insulated power lines, as well as a modern and centralized monitoring system for the entire distribution utility. The company also initiated the underground cabling of JM Basa Street in Iloilo City Proper District to eliminate spaghetti wires while highlighting the beauty of the heritage sites. “We are very happy that as an electric distribution utility, where customers sometimes think they don’t have any choice, we try to give our best to our customers in terms of rates as well as in terms of service,” says Mr. Roel Castro. At present, MORE Power is processing the migration of consumers in Pavia and San Miguel after it was given the Certificate of Public Convenience to operate in some parts of the Iloilo Province. Mr. Castro was grateful for the consumers of MORE Power for its support to the company citing that the true measure of success is the extent of the benefits that consumers could enjoy. Among the finalists in the same category are companies such as Acquire Intelligence, Asian Hospital and Medical Center, Concentrix Philippines, Datamatic Global Service Corporation, Pag-IBIG Fund, Magsaysay Maritime Corporation, Robinsons Malls, SixEleven Global Services and Solutions, Inc.

MORE Power employees and Iloilo City farmers harvest over 200 hybrid melons

MORE Electric and Power Corporation (MORE Power) continues to extend its commitment beyond reliable electric distribution service by supporting initiatives that create practical and sustained opportunities for communities, including Iloilo City’s urban farmers. The Harvest Festival held in Barangay Ticud, La Paz, Iloilo City, on September 24, 2026, was once again a success. The activity was spearheaded by the Iloilo City Agriculturist Office, together with the Ticud Farmers Association, under the program of the Iloilo City Government and private company MORE Power. Also in attendance at the event were the Executive Assistant to the Mayor and former Councilor Ely Estante, along with other stakeholders. More than 200 high-quality hybrid Fujisawa and Inthanon melons were harvested and purchased by MORE Power employees during the Harvest Festival. The event also featured various freshly harvested vegetables and fruits, giving employees and community members an opportunity to directly support the farmers while enjoying their produce.

MORE Power employees joined the harvesting of the hybrid melons, which were immediately weighed and purchased. Other harvested produce was also brought to the MORE Power office for direct purchase by employees as part of the company’s continuing support for the direct farm-to-market approach. The Department of Agriculture–National Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture Program (DA-NUPAP) also officially turned over the greenhouse with a hydroponics facility to the Ticud Farmers Association. “Kami sa Iloilo City Agriculturist nagakalipay gid nga natigayon ang ini nga project although indi gid ini mahapos from the start since madamo kita gina-consider lakip na kay urban area kita. So ang pinaka-challenge gid ang vacant space. Nagapasalamat gid kami sa MORE Power sa inyo nga support sa City Agriculturist kag sa mga farmers association. Nangin possible ini nga project sa commitment man sang Ticud Farmers Association kag especially sa funding sang DA-NUPAP,” said Ms. Luna Elisel, NUPAP Coordinator of the City Agriculturist Office.

Members of the Ticud Farmers Association received cucumber and chili pepper seedlings, which will be used in their next planting season. Liquid fertilizer and grass cutters were also donated by MORE Power, helping the farmers prepare for and sustain succeeding crop cycles. “Si MORE Power ever since naga-donate gid sang mga seedlings and fertilizer. Daku gid nga bulig sa kay farmers nga ginabakal ninyo ang ila mga produkto. Nalipay gid ang mga farmers nga sa field pa lang, naka-income na sila. Bulig gid ini sa ila para maka-recycle sila sang bag-o nga crop,” Ms. Elisel added. More than a one-day harvest activity, the initiative demonstrates how steady support can help local farmers build a more reliable and sustainable livelihood. The proceeds from the sale of vegetables are reinvested as capital for the succeeding planting season, enabling the association to purchase inputs and continue production. The company has been assisting the farmers of Iloilo City since 2021, especially during the pandemic years when food security became a pressing concern for many communities.

MORE Power’s participation is rooted truly in a continuing commitment to Iloilo City’s farming communities. Beyond providing seedlings, farm inputs, and equipment, the company helps create a practical link between farmers and consumers, where the value of local produce is recognized, purchased, and reinvested in the next harvest. Through consistent collaboration with the Iloilo City Government, the City Agriculturist Office, and farmers’ associations, MORE Power supports a model where urban agriculture can become a lasting source of opportunity, food production, and livelihood for Iloilo City residents.

MORE Power Prexy Welcomes Removal of VAT on Systems Loss, Meanwhile DOE Secretary Garin says Power Generation at Fault On Visayas Power Woes.

Iloilo City - MORE Power President and CEO Mr. Roel Castro is finally seeing some positive development amidst the power crisis affecting the country. With the recent pronouncement by the Bureau of Internal Revenue removing the VAT on systems loss, Castro welcomes this move even if it is just a portion of a percentage comprising the entire monthly bills of consumers. "This is a welcome move by the government especially by the Bureau of Internal Revenue by removing the VAT on system loss. We have to understand, this is a certain percentage of a certain percentage. We have to be thankful that goverment acted on this quickly so consumers can realize the reduction as soon as possible,” says Castro. But the systems loss is just a small chunk of the problem by the power industry. The daily monitoring of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines shows a decline in power supply from the power generators. Continuous lack of power supply would still result to higher power generation cost. Castro remained hopeful that power generators would become operational soon and would eventually lessen the burden, especially in the Visayas. "We are really optimistic na dapat babalik siya. As per DOE, may babalik ng September. May different dates na nandoon per official. Hopefully the soonest possible time yung baseloads mabalik man lang," says Castro. oes. For several weeks now, MORE Power, Negros Power and Bohol Light have been bombarded by complaints across all sectors for implementing the MLD. The manual load dropping is mandated by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines to prevent the grid from collapsing due to the lack of supply from the generators. Despite the widespread information dissemination, Castro admits that it is the distribution utilities like MORE Power and Negros Power that get the brunt of the complaints.

However, DOE Secretary Sharon Garin mentioned that the distribution utilities are not at fault for the current situation. In an interview via DZMM, Garin explained that both the generation and transmission sectors have issues that need to be addressed—not only in relation to the current power situation, but also problems that have existed and should've been addressed for the past 10 years. "No, they receive what they can receive. They try naman. Iba naghahanap ng paraan. Distribution is the least guilty in this place," says Garin. Castro is hopeful that the inquiry will achieve both viable short-term and long-term solutions for Visayas. Base on the latest collective data released by the DOE and NGCP, Therma Visayas Units 1 and 2 will go back online this September while PEDC by end of October including other base load generation plants in Mindanao. These plants are expected to help stabilize the supply of electricity on the Visayas grid.

Feed Mill and Coconut Oil Manufacturer in Pavia, Iloilo Join MORE Power

PAVIA, ILOILO — Two major businesses in Pavia, Iloilo - Vitarich Corporation and Visayas Coco Development Incorporated, have recently chosen MORE Electric and Power Corporation (MORE Power) as their electric distribution partner. Vitarich Corporation, a leading feed mill company, completed its migration to MORE Power on June 2, 2026. Meanwhile, Visayas Coco Development Incorporated, a coconut oil manufacturer, joined the distribution utility on July 8, 2026. The Vitarich migration ceremony was attended by company engineers and officials of the Local Government Unit of Pavia, alongside MORE Power Executive Chief Operating Officer Engr. Ronald Torres and Vice President for Marketing, Corporate Affairs and Customer Care Maricris Cabalhin.

For Visayas Coco Development Incorporated, Chief Operating Officer Christian Yu joined MORE Power officials during the company’s migration ceremony. “We are looking forward to a lifetime partnership with MORE Power. We want to make sure that we are getting the right service. Kung ano man ang program ni MORE Power for us, we are willing to support,” said Engr. Roy F. Almirante, Process Engineer of Vitarich Corporation. Almirante also commended the smooth transition, noting that the migration was completed ahead of schedule. “Very easy ang transition. We expected it to take around four hours, but they completed it in only two hours. And now, we are running on MORE Power,” he added. With dependable electricity crucial to continuous production, businesses such as Visayas Coco Development Incorporated expect to maximize operations following their transition to MORE Power. “I want to thank MORE Power for the service they have provided. Since we are an oil company, we need to produce oil daily, so there should be no interruption or downtime,” Yu said. “Previously, we encountered a lot of interruptions that would last a minimum of four hours, or even longer. That resulted in significant downtime and losses for our company. We also had difficulty contacting the previous provider, particularly in terms of response time,” he added. Yu encouraged other businesses considering the switch to choose a reliable power distribution partner. “To other companies that are thinking of migrating to MORE Power, if you want a more reliable source of power, make the switch,” he said. MORE Power’s expanded franchise, filed by 2nd District Representative Michael Gorriceta and 4th District Representative Braeden John Biron on September 20, 2021, aims to provide constituents with reliable and modern power distribution services. The successful migration of Vitarich Corporation and Visayas Coco Development Incorporated highlights MORE Power’s operational readiness to serve larger businesses, support the growing demand for investment, and provide consumers with greater choice in power distribution services.

TMC Iloilo earns second WSO Angels Gold Status for stroke care

ILOILO CITY — For patients experiencing a stroke, every minute counts. At The Medical City Iloilo, this means putting timely, quality stroke care into action, an effort recognized by the World Stroke Organization (WSO) Angels Awards Gold Status for two consecutive years. This year’s award was presented on August 12 during the 27th Annual Convention of the Stroke Society of the Philippines at the EDSA Shangri-La Manila. WSO Angels Awards recognizes hospitals that meet rigorous quality standards in acute stroke care, including rapid diagnosis, prompt treatment, coordinated teamwork, and adherence to internationally accepted clinical protocols.

Putting timely stroke care into action For stroke patients from neighboring provinces, timely treatment depends on how quickly healthcare teams coordinate across hospitals. In Roxas City, Capiz, a patient experiencing a sudden stroke needed urgent transfer to TMC Iloilo because rtPA, a medicine that helps restore blood flow to the brain, was unavailable locally. Still within the critical 4.5-hour treatment window, healthcare teams from Roxas and Iloilo coordinated a transfer and met halfway in Dumarao, Capiz. The patient was then admitted to TMC Iloilo's Acute Stroke Unit and discharged 13 days later. In June 2026, a similar response helped a 60-year-old patient from Antique who suffered an acute ischemic stroke. Through TMC Iloilo's Rendezvous Thrombolysis Program, teams met halfway in San Joaquin, where rtPA was administered before she continued to TMC Iloilo for further care. She was discharged 10 days later with improved neurological status. Together, these cases demonstrate how established referral pathways and coordination between healthcare teams can help patients access timely, specialized stroke care despite the distance.

What this means for patients Timely and expert treatment can improve the chances of functional recovery, including walking, speaking, and performing daily activities, while reducing the risk of long-term disability and supporting better survival and overall outcomes. At TMC Iloilo, healthcare teams and referral partners work together to support this approach. As a result, patients across Western Visayas can receive timely, specialized stroke care more accessible, even when distance is a challenge.