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.

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.

MORE Power hopes Visayas grid supply normalizes soon

ILOILO CITY – The continuing thin power supply in the Visayas has affected electricity rates across distribution utilities in the region, prompting the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) to place the grid under several yellow alerts since May. In Iloilo City, MORE Electric and Power Corporation said it is hoping that power supply in the Visayas Grid will return to normal as soon as possible so that electricity rates may also go down. A yellow alert means available supply is not enough to meet demand, which may lead distribution utilities to implement manual load dropping or rotational power interruptions. Based on the latest data, MORE Power recorded around 428,308.60 kWh in power losses from May 13 to June, affecting 177,727 consumers. NGCP said the tight supply situation in the Visayas was caused by the outage of three major coal-fired power plants: Units 1 and 2 of Aboitiz Power Therma Visayas Inc., which have a capacity of 169 MW each, and Panay Energy Development Corporation (PEDC) Unit 3, which has a capacity of 150 MW. In total, about 488 MW remains unavailable from these plants. As of June 23, NGCP data showed that 16 power plants were on forced outage, while 14 others were operating only at derated capacity. Altogether, 1,073 MW of power was unavailable. Aside from generation issues, transmission constraints have also limited the amount of power reaching the Visayas grid despite supply coming from Luzon. NGCP said the Leyte-Cebu interconnection has limited capacity to support the Cebu-Negros-Panay grid. "Nagapangabay kita nga tani earlier ang ila pagbalik sa grid para at least ma-stabilize man ang presyo sang kuryente diri sa aton sa Visayas Grid. Isa ini sa nakita naton nga big development kun tani para sa kaayuhan sang mga distribution utility kag mismo para sa mga konsumidor ilabi na nga ginapaabot ang El Niño ukon tuman kainit sang panahon nga mangin rason sa posible liwat nga pagtaas sang konsumo sang kuryente", says Raphael Dorilag, Manager of Energy Sourcing Department of MORE Power. The tight supply has also pushed prices higher in the electricity spot market or WESM. From ₱4.45 per kWh, prices climbed to ₱10.30 per kWh, while the generation rate rose by ₱2.10 per kWh to the current ₱7.735 per kWh. MORE Power said it continues to look for cheaper power sources for its consumers by buying supply from bilateral suppliers whenever these are more affordable than WESM prices. At present, 62% of its power supply is sourced through bilateral contracts, while 38% is purchased from WESM. MORE Power also set aside paying in staggered tranches to its suppliers to avoid bill shock for its consumers in the succeeding months. Wala sang pagbag-o sa presyo sang aton mga distribution charge sa MORE Power. Ginapabalo man naton nga inclusive na sang tax ang tanan naton nga rates rason nga transparent kita kag wala sang hidden charges sa mga bill nga galab-ot sa tagsa ka mga konsumidor”, says Dorilag. MORE Power likewise advised consumers to be more careful and responsible in their electricity use amid continuing challenges in power generation and transmission.

FIRST-EVER UNMANNED SUBSTATION IN THR REGION VI TO SERVE ILONGGOS

ILOILO CITY - MORE Electric and Power Corporation (MORE Power), the sole electricity distributor in Iloilo City, has taken a bold step toward securing the region’s power future. This landmark initiative for the Western Visayas energy sector introduces the area’s first fully unmanned 30MVA substation. This historic milestone stems not from hasty planning but from years of intensive assessment and careful forecasting of consumer needs. The achievement represents a major advance in modernizing the region’s power infrastructure, underscoring MORE Power’s commitment to efficient, reliable, and innovative service for Ilonggo consumers. The facility is remotely controlled from MORE Power’s Control Center via an advanced Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system. Fully automated, it is operated and managed entirely from the center, with real-time data delivering all essential information.

State-of-the-art design allows monitoring of load flow, voltage levels, and equipment conditions without on-site human supervision. Expanding SCADA systems and Intelligent Electronic Devices (IEDs) forms a key part of MORE Power’s five-year development plan and grid modernization efforts.

In a statement, Engr. Wilmar Gonzaludo, PSPD Manager, attributed the success to “long and meticulous planning, plus a deep understanding of the system that Iloilo consumers need. ”It can be recalled that in 2020, during MORE Power’s launch, substations were nearly overloaded, frequently knocked out, and in poor condition, some were not even upgraded for 30 years. MORE Power promptly began repairs, addressing substations, distribution lines, aging poles, high systems loss, and rampant illegal connections. “In other places, SCADA and automation are already in use. Advanced technology exists, so why not leverage it, especially with MORE Power here to deliver the same high-quality services to consumers? ” said Engr. Mark Anthony Molano, Substation Projects Manager. Engr. Molano also emphasized strengthening the distribution system’s foundation to better serve consumers, particularly during peak demand. MORE Power assures tight security, with personnel still guarding the substations—vital installations amid surging electricity needs driven by Iloilo City and the province's economic growth.

MORE Power's electricity rate for May, DECREASED by P0.27/kWh

ILOILO CITY — MORE Electric and Power Corporation is passing on relief to Ilonggo consumers with a reduction in electricity rates for May, despite upward pressure on global commodity prices stemming from the ongoing crisis in the Middle East. The residential rate for May is ₱11.8710 per kWh, down from ₱12.14 per kWh in April. The commercial rate falls to ₱11.00 per kWh from ₱11.27 last month. The movement in retail rates is primarily attributed to a lower transmission charge, which declined to ₱0.26/kWh versus the previous month. The system loss charge was also trimmed by ₱0.027/kWh, reflecting the transmission adjustment; overall system loss improved from 5.37% to 5.20%. On the other hand, the generation charge rose by ₱0.05/kWh due to higher coal prices and increased freight costs associated with imports. Inflation (CPI) and foreign exchange fluctuations also pushed generation costs upward. Prices in the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market likewise climbed to ₱4.47/kWh. Despite the uptick in generation costs, MORE Power managed to lower final consumer rates by sourcing cheaper power under bilateral contracts. “We strive to provide our consumers with the best electricity rates despite the challenges we are currently facing,” said Roel Z. Castro, President and CEO of MORE Power. “MORE Power remains steadfast in ensuring the welfare of Ilonggos by delivering quality and affordable electricity to every household and establishment. As the heat index rises this summer, consumers are encouraged to practice mindful electricity use, since greater appliance demand can lead to higher bills,” Mr. Castro added. The rate cut provides welcome respite as residents contend with rising prices for basic goods and services. MORE Power said the move reflects its ongoing efforts to ease financial burdens on families and businesses in Iloilo City. The company is monitoring price and supply conditions heading into June after the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) issued several yellow and red alerts, signaling potential supply shortages relative to demand. MORE Power reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining reliable service and affordable electricity for Ilonggos

Big Ilonggo Businesses Migrated to MORE Power in Q1 2026

Pavia, Iloilo – Malls, food chains, hotels, BPOs, publication offices, and even construction firms are among the diverse sectors now served by MORE Power, as the company continues to expand its reach. In the first quarter of 2026, MORE Power accommodated the migration of several major accounts seeking reliable service, cost efficiency, and customer-friendly support for their thriving operations.

The latest to make the migration is Waffle Time Inc., a prominent Ilonggo business franchise, for its commissary in Brgy. Pagsangaan, Pavia, Iloilo. The company successfully transferred its load to MORE Power as its primary power source. Just last month, Taytay sa Kauswagan (TSKI), a major finance firm and hotel operator, along with Gateway Hotel, completed their migration on March 27, 2026. TSKI CEO and President Mr. Peter Talbanban and Gateway Hotel Chief Operating Officer Mr. Wendell Hofanda led the migration ceremony. “The primary expectation is better service and lower costs, especially amid the current Middle East crisis. All expenses are rising, making this the ideal time to migrate to MORE Power and reduce our electricity bills. Our TSKI main office is here in Pavia and serves all branch needs. If we experience a brownout, it disrupts our entire digitalized system, so reliable power is crucial,” said Mr. Peter Talbanban, TSKI CEO and President. “I’d like to thank MORE Power for reaching out to us. We were surprised by their initiative, and we’re thrilled about this partnership, which promises lower electricity costs and superior service,” he added.

This migration underscores the trust these companies place in MORE Power to deliver long-term reliable electricity for their establishments. “This marks a win for consumers who seek better quality of electricity, fair pricing, and improved service. MORE Power’s values have always been centered on the welfare of its consumers. We have heard the clamor and understood the needs of the consumers—this is why we have expanded to the province of Iloilo. I am truly grateful for the trust of the consumers in Pavia, Iloilo”, said Mr. Roel Z. Castro, President and CEO of MORE Power. MORE Power launched operations in Iloilo Province this year after finalizing its facilities. This was enabled nearly five years ago on September 20, 2021, when 2nd District Representative Michael Gorriceta and 4th District Representative Braeden John Biron filed for the company’s franchise expansion to deliver modern, reliable power distribution to towns in their districts. The well-timed migration ceremony highlighted MORE Power’s readiness to support consumers’ needs for dependable, modern power distribution.

DOE Honors MORE Power and Negros Power for exemplary Compliance

Taguig City, April 24, 2026 – In a testament to operational excellence and unwavering commitment to transparency, the Department of Energy (DOE) awarded plaques of appreciation to MORE Electric and Power Corporation (MORE Power) and Negros Electric and Power Corporation (Negros Power) for their timely and full compliance with critical reportorial requirements. The recognition highlights the two distribution utilities’ adherence to DOE Department Circular No. DC2023-03-0005. This circular provides supplemental policies for the systematic management of DOE reportorial requirements in the electric power industry, ensuring accurate data flow for participants - distribution utilities, for the year 2025. Plaques, signed by Undersecretary Rowena Cristina L. Guevarra, Ph.D., were presented at the Energy Center in Bonifacio Global City. It underscores compliance’s vital role amid rising power demand from industrialization, renewables, and climate risks, enabling better grid monitoring, outage prevention, and policy reforms. MORE Power serves Iloilo City and nearby areas in Iloilo, while Negros Power operates in Central Negros as the sole electric power distributor. Their efforts support DOE’s data-driven Visayas grid, which is critical post-El Niño and during electrification pushes. “Full compliance equips DOE with important insights that may contribute to accelerating projects like grid modernization and renewables rollout,” said Roel Z. Castro, President and CEO of both MORE Power and Negros Power. “Timely reporting helps streamline DOE approvals, cuts delays, and aids in advancing national electrification targets,” he added. As the Philippines aims for full household electrification by 2028 under DOE’s program, such compliance sets a standard for sector reliability.

Department of Energy Recognizes Proactive Policies of Iloilo City and MORE Power

Iloilo City – Energy Secretary Sharon Garin recently highlighted Iloilo City’s significant 14% increase in power demand in 2025, well ahead of the national average. According to Garin, this growth stems from programs led by Mayor Raisa Treñas in collaboration with MORE Electric and Power Corporation. She noted that it reflects progress not just in business but in every household, as consumers gain the capacity to purchase additional electrical appliances - a key driver of the city’s rising demand. Recently, the Department of Energy and Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) visited Iloilo City to promote the Expanded Lifeline Rate Program. However, the Iloilo City Government and MORE Power have implemented the original Lifeline Rate Program since its launch in July 2023, outpacing other cities. Today, Iloilo City has 6,310 Lifeline Program beneficiaries: 4,360 from the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and the rest from indigent communities or marginalized residents. “I have to say ang mga policies sang LGU together sang MORE is one of the best ones in the country nga ginacopy ina namon ang programa diri sa Iloilo City,” says Sec. Garin. Under the Expanded program, 4Ps households consuming 50 kWh or less per month receive a 100% discount, with automatic enrollment. Beyond the Lifeline Rate Program, the ERC commended MORE Power’s Bill Deposit Refund initiative. To date, MORE Power has refunded P9.2 million in bill deposits to 1,421 consumer accounts that paid bills on time for 36 consecutive months. This follows the Magna Carta for Residential Electricity Consumers, which requires distribution utilities to refund deposits after such consistent payments. MORE Power proactively notifies eligible consumers via bills, text, email, and calls, encouraging them to visit the office for refunds by check or bill credit, rather than just wait for the consumers to apply. The ERC witnessed MORE Power’s Bill Deposit Refund program firsthand, prompting the agency to spotlight this Magna Carta provision, and encourage distribution utilities nationwide to deliver the same benefits to their eligible consumers.

PHINMA UI expands student support amid uncertain times

ILOILO City – In response to the rising cost of daily expenses and the challenges faced by students, PHINMA University of Iloilo (PHINMA UI) reinforces its commitment to “making lives better through education” by expanding its Student Support Programs. The enhanced programs are part of the “Kaupod sa Pagpadayon” campaign, a university-wide initiative that encourages students to continue and complete their college education despite economic and social challenges. As part of this campaign, PHINMA UI recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Department of Social Welfare and Development Region VI (DSWD-VI) to strengthen the Hawak Kamay Scholarship Program, which is specifically designed for incoming first-year students from 4Ps beneficiary families. Under this partnership, eligible students will receive up to 80% scholarship grants, providing crucial financial support for their education.

“The Hawak Kamay Scholarship is our way of ensuring that deserving students can continue their studies without being hindered by financial difficulties,” said Martin Benedict Perez, PHINMA UI Chief Operating Officer. “Through this initiative, we hope to empower students to focus on learning while we help address their challenges.” Present during the event was DSWD-VI Asst. Regional Director for Operations Katherine Lamprea, who represented DSWD-VI Regional Director Joselito Estember during the Ceremonial Memorandum of Agreement Signing. She expressed strong support for the program, highlighting the tangible benefits it provides to 4Ps beneficiaries and their families.

Providing the right support For the upcoming Academic Year, PHINMA UI is intensifying efforts to support students’ daily needs through several key initiatives. To address the students’ need for safe, accessible, and affordable spaces, especially those who originally came from outside Iloilo City, PHINMA UI has partnered with boarding houses near the university to provide discounted rates for PHINMA UI students. With the rising prices of transportation, PHINMA UI is also piloting its Transportation Allowance Program, wherein 200 students will be initially selected to ease the burden of commuting. Meanwhile, working students can now continue their education without sacrificing income, with evening programs available for Hospitality Management, Tourism Management, Education, and Business Administration students.

Quality education made affordable Aside from the Hawak Kamay Scholarship, PHINMA UI provides flexible financial schemes, interest-free student loans, and flexible payment terms to make college more accessible. Additionally, the university has lowered its all-in fees for the incoming Academic Year, the lowest among private universities in Iloilo, to ensure that no student is left behind. “Lowering our costs does not compromise the quality of our education. PHINMA UI continues to deliver excellent results, as seen in our recognition as the Top 1 Criminology School in the Philippines in the February 2026 Criminology Licensure Examination,” Perez added. Other than Criminology, PHINMA UI also maintains high board passing rates across other programs, including Education, Nursing, Psychology, Pharmacy, Accountancy, and Engineering, producing hundreds of board passers since 2009. With these initiatives, PHINMA UI remains steadfast in supporting its students not just academically, but financially, ensuring that education remains a pathway to opportunity even in uncertain times.

Senado Gin Review ang Franchise Application sang Power Utilities sang Primelectric

Pasay City – Nagtipon ang Senate Committee on Public Services nga ginapamunuan ni Senator Raffy Tulfo sang Marso 18, 2026 agud mag deliberate sa duha ka prankisa nga sakup sang kumpaniya sang Primelectric Holdings Inc. 

Dire ginpatpat ang franchise extension request para sa Bohol Light Company Incorporated kag ang franchise expansion para sa MORE Electric and Power Corporation. 

Ginpresenta ni Mr. Roel Z. Castro, President kag Chief Executive Officer sang duha ka mga utilities ang performance sang duha ka kumpaniya. Iya gindetalye ang operational improvements kag justification sa likod sang mga legislative requests.

MORE Power: Expansion Amid Strong Performance Metrics

Ang MORE Electric and Power Corporation nga nag-operate sa idalum sang legislative franchise sa Iloilo City sa sulod sang 6 ka tuig ang nagatinguha nga mas palaparon pa gid ang coverage area sini. 

Ginalakipan sang proposal ang pito ka mga munisipalidad sa First District sang Iloilo Province nga ginsponsoran ni Congresswoman Janet Garin bangud sa paghingyo sang mga pumuluyo. Kun matigayon, mangin kaupod sini ang segundo kag kwarto distrito nga nauna nga nangin kabahin sa expanded franchise sang MORE Power.

Ginhighlight ni Mr. Castro ang mga makabuluhan nga operational improvement sang MORE Power sumugod nga nag operate ang power company sa Iloilo City.

Natigayon nga mapanubo ang system loss humalin sa 28% sa 5% na gid lamang kag ginpadamu pa gid ang customer base sini gikan sa 62,000 tubtob 107,000 kag ginpanubuan ang System Average Interruption Frequency Index (SAIFI) kag ang System Average Interruption Duration Index (SAIDI) sang kapin 90%.

Nagpabutyag man si Castro nga ang MORE Electric, Negros Power kag Bohol Light nga lunsay ginamanage sang Primelectric Holdings ang may pinakamanubo nga electricity rates sa Visayas.

Nakitaan naman sang mga government agencies sang compliant assessment ang duha ka mga utilities. 

Suno sa Department of Energy (DOE), organisado ang reportorial kag iban nga requirements apang may dugang pa nga probisyon para sa mga regulatory layers.

Ginkumpirma man sang Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) ang performance, system reliability, system loss kag power quality standards sang power company. 

Ang Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) gin verify ang regular tax filing kag mga balayran patimaan nga wala sang mga open cases.

Nagpabutyag man ang Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) nga compliant sa mga reporting requirements ang power company kag sila ang maga submit sang opisyal nga position paper.

Wala naman sang pagpamalabag ang Philippine Competition Commission (PCC). Nagsumite man ini sang position paper. 

Nagapabilin naman nga neutral ang Commission on Audit (COA) apang ila ginpabutyag nga kinahanglan nga may probisyon para sa full audit access, transparency, financial disclosure kag accountability.

Wala naman sang pagpamalabag ang Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). Wala sila sang na record nga labor inspection coverage kag kung ano man nga pending labor standard cases.

Wala man sang ginpabutyag nga kung ano nga pagpamalabag ang Iloilo Electric Cooperatives samtang ginahiwat ang proceedings.

Bohol Light: Post-Acquisition

Nangin kabahin sang Primelectric Holdings ang Bohol Light sang 2024 sa diin nag acquire ini sang 70% sang Salcon Power group. Ang nabilin nga 30% ginapanag-iyahan pa sang Provincial Government sang Bohol.

Humalin sang takeover, nagreport si Mr. Castro sang pipila ka mga operational advancements lakip na dire ang pag expand sang customer base sang masobra 1,000 ka mga pamalay ilabi na dire ang low-load nga lugar. 

Mas ginpahapos kag ginstreamline ang payment process pinaagi sa pagbaton sang bayad sa barangay level sa Tagbilaran City agud mabuhinan ang documentary requirements para sa bag-o nga applicants sa apat na gid lamang ka mga items. 

Suno kay Mr. Castro, ginpreserba sang power company ang 100% sang workforce sini samtang mas ginpasangkad ang benepisyo sang mga empleyado kaangay sang health insurance kag fourteenth-month pay.

Matapus ang presentasyon kag review sang nagkalain-lain nga mga government agencies, ginrefer ang duha ka bills sa technical working group (TWG) para sa dugang nga konsiderasyon.

Magapadayun man ang committee sa pag review sang mga ginaduso nga proposal kag probisyon para magbalay sang rekomendasyon agud mas maplastar sang maayo antes mapasaka ang hagna para sa dugang nga legislative process sa Senado.

DIAL 33-80808 TO SAVE A LIFE: TMC Iloilo to level up emergency response thru newly-launched EMS Program

 

ILOILO City – Staying true to its commitment in making healthcare closer to the Ilonggos by bringing in innovative programs and services here, The Medical City (TMC) Iloilo is again launching another pioneering program that will be beneficial to the Ilonggo community. 

 

TMC Iloilo recently started the first hospital-based Emergency Medical Services in Iloilo. Alongside with it, the hospital is also introducing its Medical Emergency Hotline Number 33-80808, a 24/7 hotline for medical emergencies. 

 

With the competent and highly-skilled Emergency Medical Team of TMC Iloilo, patients are ensured that they will receive quality care based on the standards set for this program. TMC Iloilo Emergency Medical Team has undergone series of specialized trainings to equip them with the skills and capabilities to respond to medical emergencies. 

 

The team are now capable of performing medical emergency procedures on the place of the incident before transporting the patient to the hospital. With TMC Iloilo EMS, emergency responses will no longer be just transporting patients. The patients are also assured of an immediate medical intervention that increases the chances of survival. 

 

The team is being headed by TMC Iloilo Emergency Medicine Specialist Dr. Sally-Mae Abelanes and TMC Iloilo Chief Medical Officer and Iloilo’s first and only Critical Intensivist Dr. Debbie Noblezada-Uy. Both specialists were skilled and trained to handle emergency medical cases in any given scenario. 

 

Being one of the pioneer graduates of TMC Ortigas’ Emergency Medicine Residency Training Program and an active volunteer of various humanitarian organizations worldwide, Dr. Abelanes has acquired experiences and expertise in disaster medicine, crisis management, and international emergency medical services. 

 

To note, Dr. Abelanes finished her Executive Master in Disaster, Risk, and Crisis Management at the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) and just came back to the Philippines after completing her Research Fellowship at the Harvard Medical School in Boston, USA. 

 

Aside from the highly skilled and trained team, TMC Iloilo also takes pride of its Emergency Medical Hotline Number 33-80808 which has a dedicated team who can cater to emergency calls anytime of the day.  

 

Calling for emergency medical assistance at TMC Iloilo was made more convenient, fast, and easy with a special and cloud-based application. All calls are now catered through an organized and unified communication system as TMC Iloilo’s new Medical Emergency Hotline offers a centralized communication system for an efficient call management. This has made possible through TMC Iloilo’s partnership with TeLavi, a unified communications and call center telephony solutions platform, and telecommunications industry leader PLDT, Inc. 

 

“Being the trailblazer in healthcare in Western Visayas, we are always looking for ways on how to improve our services and innovate to cater to the growing demands of our patient partners here in Iloilo. Our  

newly-launched Emergency Medical Services will become a gamechanger as we aim to improve the healthcare ecosystem of the region,” TMC Iloilo Chief Executive Officer Dr. Felix Ray Villa noted. 

 

“With TMC Iloilo’s Emergency Medical Services, we are looking into expanding our reach to cater to the healthcare needs of our patient partners and eventually save more lives,” he added.

Mass market access to home Internet innovations key to a stronger and more connected Philippines

Globe Chief Commercial Officer Albert de Larrazabal gives thanks to the unwavering support of GoWiFi partners at the recently held 2019 GoWiFi Partners Night

Globe marks another year of growing partnerships with fellow industry leaders and local government units through GoWiFi, the public WiFi hotspot service of the telco at the 2019 Partners Night in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

This year, GoWiFi has strengthened its position as the most expansive free public WiFi in the country. Now with a servicing footprint of up to 2,500 locations nationwide, GoWiFi services can now be used at approximately 25,000 access points. This rapid growth is fueled by the continuous establishment of partnerships with key businesses, and cooperation with local governments.

“This has been undoubtedly one of the greatest years for GoWiFi. We are up by over 500 locations from last year with an increasingly more diverse portfolio of access points from schools, hospitals, malls and even local government offices,” shared Albert de Larrazabal, Chief Commercial Officer at Globe. “We would have not reached such level of pervasion in one year without the unwavering support of everyone here.”

GoWiFi recently cemented partnerships with Araneta Center in Quezon City, Philippine Normal University in Manila, and Cebu Doctors' University Hospital among many others to provide high-quality connectivity to the young and mobile-savvy generation. Further, the WiFi service provider formalized ties with local government units of economic powerhouses, San Juan, Makati, and the capital of Manila in line with its thrust of accelerating the country’s digital transformation.

“We look forward to the succeeding months as we transform more locations to GoWiFi sites. Free public WiFi will soon be available to more of our kababayans in the northern frontier of Luzon, and key areas in Visayas and Mindanao by 2020 as we continue expanding our network and gaining the valued cooperation of our government leaders,” added de Larrazabal.

To further add value to the on-the-go surfing experience of customers, subscribers of any GoSAKTO, GoSURF & EasySURF promos worth P50 and above can now get additional free 1GB GoWiFi access in any GoWiFi hotspot.

Learn more about GoWiFi via https://www.globe.com.ph/gowifi.html.

Globe At Home and Disney make Christmas more magical and delightful

Customers get free 3 months access to DisneyLife 

To celebrate the coming of the holiday season, Globe At Home delighted their Postpaid and Prepaid Customers with surprises featuring their partnership with DisneyLife. 

Globe at Home recently made announcements on exciting promos for existing and new customers. All Globe at Home GoUnli and GoBig Postpaid customers automatically score 3 months access to DisneyLife. This can be activated through the Globe At Home App starting November 27 to December 15, 2019. Select customers - - as much as 40,000 - also get GMovies passes to catch Frozen 2 with family and friends.  

Similarly, Globe At Home Prepaid customers score 3 months access to DisneyLife. All they have to do is load up their Home Prepaid WiFi with HomeSURF199 and up via the Globe At Home App starting December 1, 2019. Access activation can also be automatically done via the app. 

“Christmas is the highlight of the year for most Filipinos. And to make this season more enjoyable for our customers, we decided to provide them more opportunities to spend the holidays in the best way possible: with their families, whether at home while bingeing on their favorite movies or catching the latest family flick in cinemas”, shared Martha Sazon, SVP and Head of Broadband Business at Globe. 

Make the best out of this year’s Christmas season with Globe At Home and Disney! Learn more via https://www.facebook.com/globeathome/.

Globe Business, Cascadeo partnership to deliver Cloud-Native consulting and managed services across PH

(R) Globe Business Senior Vice President Peter Maquera and Cascadeo CEO Jared Reimer formalize the partnership between the two service providers

Globe Business and Cascadeo, an Amazon Web Services premier consulting partner and managed services provider, have joined hands to bring their combined extensive experience on all aspects of cloud engineering, operations, and data science to the Philippine enterprise market.

As a major provider of telecommunications and managed IT security services in the Philippines, Globe has built a reputation for excellence in engineering, operations, and security.  With the partnership, Cascadeo will now be Globe's technology and fulfillment partner for a complete suite of cloud-native products and services.

Cloud computing is the future of information technology, yet many cloud migration projects fail.  By working with Globe Business and Cascadeo, organizations throughout the country can achieve exponential returns on investment in record time by avoiding the mistakes others have made in their cloud journey. 

Customers can successfully win with cloud solutions by embracing the most transformational technology: automation, Cloud-Native Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS), data analytics, serverless infrastructure, artificial intelligence, and programmatic security.  Cascadeo delivers on this promise with a mix of expert-level professional consulting services, engineering services, and managed operations for customer cloud deployments on AWS, Azure, Google Cloud Platform, NetApp Cloud Solutions, and even on-premise VMware private cloud environments.

“To remain as a trusted business advisor, we leverage on the investments made by global leaders in building cloud platforms and expertise to embrace the future of IT,” said Peter Maquera, Globe Business Senior Vice President. “By working with trusted companies who have done all of this before, we can save companies the time, cost, and challenges of learning on the job. We encourage enterprises to let the experts from Globe and Cascadeo work with their team to develop and implement their cloud requirements.”

“Cascadeo has built an amazing cloud engineering and operations team in the Philippines over the past decade.  Partnering with Globe is a tremendous honor and opportunity,” says Jared Reimer, CEO of Cascadeo Corporation. “We are bringing the best of our team and experience to the Philippine enterprise market, and doing so with the leading provider of telecommunications, managed security, and cloud services.”

Reimer continues: “We are bringing the best aspects of our industry experience, talent, and intellectual property from Seattle and Silicon Valley to Metro Manila, Cebu, and beyond! And solidifying our partnership now with Globe means that we can help more Philippine companies succeed in their cloud journey.”

Globe Business continues to have one of the biggest footprint in public cloud in the region and the biggest in the Philippines. The enterprise arm of Globe has been in the cloud business since 2011. It started with offering Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) and has expanded its offerings through its extensive partner ecosystem with Professional and Managed Services. Now, it continues to help enterprises progress in their own cloud journeys.

With Globe's reliable and resilient network, backed by security solutions to protect enterprise assets, migrating to the cloud can accelerate the growth of businesses through innovation and agility.

For more information about Globe Business cloud services powered by Cascadeo, please contact your Globe Business Account Manager or visit https://www.globe.com.ph/business/enterprise/cloud.html