Iloilo City Police Office Recognizes MORE Power Among Important Community Partners in 31st PCR Month Culmination

ILOILO CITY—The Iloilo City Police Office gathered its stakeholders, partners and police personnel as the city’s top cop recognized the agency’s outstanding police stations and community partners. Among its esteemed guests and speakers is MORE Electric and Power Corporation President and CEO Mr. Roel Z. Castro. In his message, Castro recognized the significant achievement of the PNP and its collaboration with its stakeholders which resulted in the steady decline of index and non-index crimes. According to Castro, both index and non-index crimes in Iloilo City declined between 2024 and 2025. Records from the Iloilo City Police Office show a 31% decline for index crimes and 10% for non-index crimes. “This may not happen if it is not because of the relationship that police officers have with their stakeholders. It is just fitting that the ceremony that we celebrated is the culmination of the Police Community Relations Month that really highlights the effectiveness of the programs that are still being implemented. And these are very effective,” says Castro.

Castro cited one of the best examples of proactive collaboration between the police and MORE Power as the campaign against illegal connections. During the initial phase of MORE Power’s 5-year development plan, MORE Power is in close coordination with the PNP in going through every village in Iloilo City. In fact, there are some barangays whose system loss reached a staggering 60%. This contributed to the 30% system’s loss overall when MORE Power assumed the operations. The most significant impact of police community relations and private sector collaboration is during the dialogue with the individuals who were caught tampering electrical connections. Not until MORE Power, the PNP, together with the barangay officials, identified the root cause of the massive pilferage in Iloilo City and the power company sought the help of the Iloilo City Government to lighten up requirements during application has there been a huge decline in the system's loss. From 30%, MORE Power consumers now enjoy a 3.83% system loss. Far from the cap set by Energy Regulatory Commission at 5.5% A feat that Castro attributes to the effective programs being implemented from before up until today. “From somebody who really felt the effect of the program of having this effective community involvement again, as shown by the numbers from 30% systems loss down to 3.83%. The programs help and cooperate with each other. From the side of our officers in uniform, let us understand why it is happening. Those learning should come from the affected of those victims, should come from the community, and as well as sa atin,” says Castro. "I'd like to congratulate the Iloilo City Police Office for a very remarkable outstanding performance for bringing down index crimes. With that, congratulations to Col. Parilla and to all the men and women of the police force,” he added. Police Colonel Wilbert B. Parilla, City Director, Iloilo City Police Office, thanked MORE Power and its partners for the effective collaboration to help secure a peaceful Ilonggo community.

“The success of every police-community relations program is a testament to the collective efforts of our police personnel and our community partners. This recognition reflects our shared commitment to building stronger partnerships founded on trust, accountability, and genuine public service. Together, we will continue to uphold our mission of keeping Iloilo City safe, peaceful, and resilient,” Police Colonel Parilla said. MORE Power reaffirms its commitment in working hand in hand with the Iloilo City Police Office to promote a safer community for Ilonggos while continuously delivering quality and reliable service to its consumers.

MORE POWER MAINTAINS HISTORIC LOW ELECTRICITY PRICE IN ILOILO DESPITE TAX-INCLUSIVE RATES

ILOILO CITY — Rising generation and transmission costs continue to push up power rates across the country, with distribution utilities affected whenever the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) places the Visayas under yellow or red alert. Manual load-shedding during these alerts, caused by supply shortfalls, has disrupted normal operations. Limited supply amid high demand has driven prices higher, forcing many distribution utilities and electric cooperatives to raise their rates. In June, MORE Power relied more on bilateral suppliers because prices in the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) surged. Sixty-two percent of MORE Power’s supply came from bilateral contracts and 38 percent from WESM. Spot market prices climbed from ₱4.45/kWh to ₱10.30/kWh. Overall, the generation rate rose by ₱2.10/kWh, reaching ₱7.735/kWh. Meanwhile, MORE Power’s average distribution charge remains unchanged at ₱1.85/kWh and has been stable for more than three years. This June, MORE Power’s rate reached ₱13.91/kWh, up ₱2.04 from May. Historically, the said distribution utility has the lowest rates from January to May of 2026, tax-inclusive, while many other distribution utilities publish tax-exclusive rates. To avoid bill shock to consumers, the implementation of staggered payments to suppliers was postponed for the month of June. This will ensure that bills do not overlap in the coming months. It also means the increased electricity costs will go directly to the power suppliers, and no added cost will go to the distribution utility. NGCP reports a shortage of supply in the Visayas grid caused by outages at large coal-fired plants. On July 10, NGCP said 15 plants experienced forced outages while 11 others were operating at derated capacity, leaving about 1,031 MW unavailable. Transmission constraints also limit the flow of power from Luzon through the Leyte–Cebu interconnection, reducing the ability to support the Cebu–Negros–Panay grid. These facts indicate that MORE Power did NOT contribute to the increase in electricity prices this June. The company reiterated that all its electricity rates since beginning operations in Iloilo have been tax-inclusive, ensuring no hidden charges on consumer bills.

PHINMA University of Iloilo Brings CHED-Approved Tech and Hospitality Programs to Roxas City

PHINMA University of Iloilo (UI) is officially expanding its footprint to Capiz, bringing its signature brand of accessible, career-focused education to Roxas City. The expansion comes after securing official approval from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) on July 6 to open local campus operations. For its initial rollout this coming school year, PHINMA UI Roxas will focus on two high-demand sectors, offering Bachelor’s degrees in Tourism Management and Information Systems. This move aims to eliminate the need for young Capizenos to leave their hometowns in pursuit of top-tier tertiary education. By establishing a physical presence in Roxas, PHINMA UI is making it easier for local students to balance their academic aspirations with the comfort and support of staying close to their families. PHINMA UI extends its sincere gratitude to the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and CHED Regional Office VI, under the leadership of Dr. Raul Muyong, for the timely issuance of the permits that made the Roxas campus expansion possible. The University values CHED's continued support in expanding access to quality higher education for more Filipino learners. "Our expansion into Roxas City is driven by a singular mission: to make quality, employability-focused education within arm's reach of every striving student," said Martin Perez, Chief Operating Officer of PHINMA University of Iloilo. "We are bringing the same standard of academic excellence and industry-aligned training that PHINMA UI is known for—backed by proven outcomes, including a 92% average first-time board exam passing rate across the PHINMA Education network and a 77% graduate employment rate." To welcome its pioneer batch, PHINMA UI Roxas is making a major investment in the local community. Every single student who enrolls for the upcoming school year will automatically grant an 80% Hawak Kamay (HK) Scholarship on tuition for their entire first year. Beyond affordability, students will benefit from PHINMA Education's holistic learning approach, which combines academic excellence, hands-on learning, student support, and strong industry partnerships. These initiatives help prepare graduates not only to succeed in licensure examinations but also to build meaningful careers after graduation. The campus is now accepting applications for its pioneer batch. Start of Admissions: July 7, 2026 Official Start of Classes: July 27, 2026 Enrollment for Academic Year 2026–2027 is open to senior high school graduates, transferees, and working students. For inquiries regarding admissions requirements and campus information, visit the PHINMA University of Iloilo Roxas Campus Facebook page or visit the admissions office at Roxas Avenue Extension, Lawa-an, Roxas City.

NEW TUBURAN STUDY CENTER BREAKS GROUND IN ILOILO

ILOILO CITY—Under the midday sun and hopeful clear blue skies, shovels pierced the ground as a significant step toward expanding educational opportunities in Iloilo City marked with the site blessing and groundbreaking ceremony of the New Tuburan Study Center, a project developed by Daguiao Foundation Inc.

On June 27, 2026, the ceremony was attended by Most Rev. Midyphil Billones, DD, Archbishop of Jaro; Governor Arthur Defensor Jr.; Mr. Roel Castro of MORE Power; Mr. Antonio Jon, President, Daguiao Foundation, Inc.; Engr. Rene Tan, Director, Tuburan Study Center, and various personalities. Located along General Luna Street, Barangay Villa Anita, the Tuburan Study Center is envisioned to become a multi-story learning facility designed to provide students with spaces to study, mentoring, reflection, and personal growth spiritually. More than just a building, Daguiao Foundation Inc. seeks an answer to the growing needs of students for environments that encourage discipline, focus, and values-centered spaces. This project reflects the broader reason of the Daguiao Foundation Inc., which has long supported educational and community-based initiatives since 1991 that uplift young men by being grounded both academically and through moral formation. Mr. Antonio Jon, President of Daguiao Foundation, Inc. shared that the foundation has remained consistent in its mission to empower the youth by providing a safe sanctuary where they can learn, grow, and strengthen their moral values. By investing in the potential of young people, the foundation helps shape future generations capable of building a better and more compassionate society. As the ceremonial shovel struck the ground and the time capsule buried underneath, the atmosphere carried both celebration and anticipation of the future. For most, the ceremony represented more than just a groundbreaking ceremony; it was laying a foundation for the future generations. This is set to be constructed in two years time under the project development of RBJR construction services. In a rapidly changing world, Daguiao Foundation Inc. believes that this Tuburan Study Center will stand as a reminder that investing in the youth remains one of the ways to build a better and morally conscious community.