Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Sharon Garin has highlighted Iloilo City’s significant 14% increase in power demand in 2025, well ahead of the national average.

This growth, according to the Ilongga official, stems from programs led by Mayor Raisa Treñas in collaboration with MORE Electric and Power Corporation.

Garin said 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 DOE and the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) visited the city to promote the Expanded Lifeline Rate Program. However, the city government and MORE Power have already been implementing the original program since its launch in July 2023, outpacing other cities.

At present, the 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,” said Garin.

Under the expanded program, 4Ps households consuming 50 kWh or less per month receive a 100-percent 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.