READY FOR DINAGYANG. More Electric and Power Corporation doing maintenance work in preparation for the Dinagyang Festival. President and chief executive officer Roel Castro, in an interview on Friday (Jan. 24, 2025) said residential consumers are enjoying a reduced electricity rate since last December. (MORE Power photo)
ILOILO CITY – Residential clients in this city have enjoyed lower electricity rates since December 2024 due to "stabilized" market prices.
More Electric and Power Corporation president and chief executive officer Roel Castro, in an interview on Friday, said the reduction this January is around PHP0.46 centavos, bringing to PHP10.956 per kilowatt-hour (kWh).
Last month, the average residential rate was PHP11.41 per kWh or a reduction of around PHP0.39 from the November 2024 rate.
“The generation rate went down a bit. During cold weather, the demand is not so high, and our market prices have somewhat stabilized. So, it’s basically the generation. We’re looking forward to being able to sustain,” he said.
Castro said if it increases, it will just be a small hike because the trend is already going down.
“We have other efforts to further bring it down but it’s not only on our part but we also need the participation of the other industry players, particularly the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market and the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines,” he added.
Meanwhile, the distribution utility also announced it is fully prepared to ensure a stable and reliable power supply during the Jan. 24 to 26 highlights of the Dinagyang Festival.
"We have a comprehensive contingency plan in place, including preventive maintenance and dedicated response teams, to address any potential power-related issues during the festival,” he said.
To address any potential power interruptions, response teams will be on standby across all festival zones. A 24/7 helpline will be operational, with officers working in three shifts to provide prompt assistance to customers.
Line and response teams will work in shifts to ensure continuous coverage, with schedules tailored to cover all critical periods of the festival.
“We want to ensure that everyone can enjoy the Dinagyang celebrations without worrying about power outages," Castro added.
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