ILOILO: HEART of the PHILIPPINES

 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 c...

Mangroves are a highly valued resource in the province of Iloilo. They are found along much of Iloilo’s coastline. The most extensive mangroves are found in the northern district with the town of Ajuy having one of the most luxuriant mangrove covers. Ajuy is home to a diversity of marine organisms. One of the most valuable features of its biodiversity is the presence of a mangrove ecosystem. The town is an ecotourism excursion destination that visitors should include in their itineraries when making plans to explore Iloilo. Barangay Silagon, situated 10 kilometers from the town proper, is a destination you can consider as an itinerary if you have enough time visit to Ajuy. The area offers lush mangrove forests worth visiting with family and friends who seek a unique experience. The barangay Opened last December 23, 2019, the Silagon Mangrove Eco-Park is a 240-meter bamboo boardwalk extends beyond the existing mangroves and has become a special feature for visitors to the barangay. Take...

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 upt...

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 am...

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 p...

Calinog, Iloilo  is an underrated gem, and as you will see there is always something new to discover. The town  boasts a wealth of exciting destinations. Clean townscapes and natural wonders, architectural highlights and lovely man-made attractions, there is something for everyone to discover here. The town center is a historic streetscape and a walk through its streets is a must when visiting Calinog.  History is there to see, touch and experience, practically everywhere in the area. Walking along the main streets, or exploring other areas around, you will encounter a variety of historic sites from different eras, each one adding an individual piece to a historical mosaic that spans the centuries. The Calinog Municipal Building in Quezon street was completed in 1937 under the leadership of Municipal President Geronimo Celo and Javier Celo as Vice President. It is the only municipal building in the entire province designed with a watchtower. The histor...

More than 200 kilograms of fresh vegetables were harvested during the Harvest Festival in Barangay San Isidro, Jaro, Iloilo City, marking another successful collaboration between local farmers and private partners. The activity was headed by the Iloilo City Agriculturist Office and Tacas San Isidro Farmers Association under the program of Mayor Raisa Treñas, in partnership with Iloilo City's sole electricity distributor MORE Power. A total of 204.9 kilograms of assorted vegetables were gathered during the event, including string beans, radish, okra, corn, squash, watermelon, bananas, melon, tomatoes, and other crops. Employees of MORE Power participated alongside members of the farmers’ association in harvesting the crops. The vegetables were then immediately transported to the company’s office, where they were sold to employees—demonstrating a direct farm-to-market approach. In addition to the harvest, members of the Tacas San Isidro Farmers Association received 160 packs of seeds...

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 ...

This serene and picturesque view is one of the many reasons why Roca Encantada is among the top tourist attractions in Guimaras. The summer house of the illustrious Lopez clan of Iloilo is built on a rock that juts out into the sea earning its nickname - the Enchanted Rock.  More than 100 years old now, it  was built in 1910 in honor of Dona Presentacion Hofilena Lopez.  It was declared a “Heritage House” in 2002 by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (formerly National Heritage Institute.) The stairs not only serve as entry way to the house but a perfect backdrop for countless selfies and photo-ops. But it's the grand balcony of the heritage house that offers the most photogenic views - so better get your cameras and batteries ready. A perfect place not only to relax after that climb but also to get that picture perfect snapshot. It offers a  picturesque view of the sea (Iloilo Strait) and beach front (Navala...