MORE Green Initiatives in Iloilo City: The book of Genesis tells one of the oldest mandates of the divine creator to mankind – to be stewards of the earth. Man was endowed with God’s creation: he is tasked to recognize that it is God’s and that he is accountable as its steward.
Fast forward to today, the directive of stewardship seems farfetched from ideal.
However, in Iloilo City, initiatives were birthed by its local power distribution utility, More Electric and Power Corporation (MORE Power Iloilo). MORE Power goes beyond the call of duty – not just an energy steward but an active driver of green initiatives. The company has involved itself knee-deep in creating, improving, and continuing actions beneficial to the environment and community.
Restoring river ecosystem and providing food source to Ilonggos
Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day, restore a river’s ecological balance and the whole community will never go hungry again – this is one of the ideologies of the local government when it implemented rehabilitative efforts to restore the Iloilo River. MORE Power, on the other hand, supplemented the initiative when it released juvenile fingerlings during its anniversary celebration. A total of 730 juvenile fish were released that day.
“MORE Electric and Power Corporation have been our great partner in creating a sustainable city and has been proactive in fixing different electrical issues. As they celebrate their second anniversary in giving power to the Ilonggos, they released a total of 731 juvenile fish, equating the number of days of service, as part of their corporate social responsibility. They also donated 23 life jackets for our personnel who worked very hard to protect the river,” states Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas, lauding the activity of MORE Power.
“It is not always that you will see a utility distribution company that is involved in the propagation of fishes in the Iloilo River, and I am very thankful for MORE Power. We have seen that through the years, our river has become cleaner and cleaner through the efforts of our City Agriculturist Office, our river clean-up team, Sen. Franklin Drilon, and now, with MORE Power. With the strong partnership of different sectors, we can build a level up the City of Love,” Mayor Treñas added.
Reducing carbon emissions by supporting local bike initiatives
In support of Iloilo City as a bike-friendly community, MORE Power incorporated bike ‘fun rides’ in its company events and milestones. The utility was able to host a ‘fun ride, fun drive’ as part of its 2nd anniversary where proceeds from the event were used to procure additional protection for bikers in bike lanes. The company also raffled mountain bikes to Ilonggos.
Creation of guardians of the environment
MORE Power has also involved its employees in green activities. Employees were encouraged to participate in the company’s environmental protection and preservation efforts and be part of the “MORE Power Guardians of the Environment”. It is the brainchild of MORE Power President and Chief Executive Officer Mr. Roel Castro.
Some of its activities include the following: a clean-up drive at Villa Beach by security personnel led by the head of security Mr. Rudin Tunting, able to gather fifteen (15) sacks of garbage; coastal cleanup for International Coastal Clean-up Day, a global event focused on cleaning shorelines of debris and garbage; and annual clean-up drive in Molo participated by 65 volunteers who were able to gather 69 sacks of trash.
“Since from the start ito na yung ginagawa namin. To join any community service with regards to or in connection with the environment. Sana lahat maging responsible kasi yung pagmamahal natin sa environment is everybody’s concern,” says Tunding in a clean-up activity last September.
“We would like to continue our commitment in serving our people in Iloilo not only being the distribution utility here but also sa mga ganitong klase ng project ng Iloilo City yung paglilinis ng environment. Maraming salamat po na nabigyan kami ng opportunity to be of help,” says Ma. Cristina D. Cabalhin, Vice President of Marketing and Corporate Affairs of MORE Power.
These are just some of the green activities headed by the distribution utility for the City of Iloilo.
Update as of September 26, 2023: Seventy-five employees of More Electric and Power Corporation (MORE Power Iloilo) including the company’s security personnel touted as Guardian of the Environment, took part in a green activity by planting 200 seedlings at Barangay Hinactacan in Lapaz. While planting, the group was able to gather 50 sacks of garbage, including plastic, bottles, and cans.
“Ini siya breeding ground of aquatic spaces nagabulig man sa atun source of livelihood. Naga protect man sa embankment. In terms of storm surge and typhoons. Kag naga carbon sink, air and water condition,” says Susan Abellana, Representative from CENRO.
The power company also aims to highlight among the residents the importance of stewardship to their environment, which includes responsible waste disposal and consistent cleaning of the Mangrove area in their community.
“Our partnership with the Iloilo City Environment and Natural Resources underscores our commitment to environmental stewardship. This is just one example of how MORE Power fulfills its corporate social responsibility,” says Armie Logarta, Department Head, OIC – Power Project Development and Management of MORE Power.
MORE Power aims to help in Iloilo City’s Green initiatives in order to protect the environment and help in food stability campaigns of the city.
MORE Power Iloilo participates in Earth Day activities
More Electric and Power Corporation (MORE Power Iloilo), Iloilo City’s sole power distributor, participated in a coastal cleanup and mangrove planting activity in celebration of Earth Day last April 22. Earth Day is an annual event celebrated worldwide to demonstrate support for environmental protection. The 2023 celebration is themed, ‘Invest In Our Planet’.
MORE Power’s ‘Green Guardians’, consisting of security personnel and volunteers of the distribution utility, were able to collect 45 bags of garbage and plant 200 seedlings. The activity was spearheaded by the Iloilo City Government, participated by the students of the John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University, University of San Agustin, Volunteer Organizations, and MORE Power Iloilo.
“Ang message ta sa atun mga residents, sa atun private sector and also our students is we have to work hand in hand because we have to make Iloilo City a sustainable and livable city. We are all enjoined to be part of the protection of the Environment,” states Mary Grace Salvi Hofileña, Iloilo City Supervicing Environment Management Specialist, CENRO.
The Iloilo City Government thanks its participants for the activity.
MORE Power Iloilo, an energy steward and an active driver of green initiatives, has involved itself knee-deep in creating, improving, and continuing actions beneficial to the environment and community. Employees are encouraged to participate in the company’s environmental protection and preservation efforts and be part of the “MORE Power Guardians of the Environment”. Activities of the green guardians include coastal cleanup, tree planting, and releasing of fish fingerlings. It is the brainchild of MORE Power President and Chief Executive Officer Mr. Roel Castro.
Introduction of Electric Buses in the Iloilo City
More Electric and Power Corporation (MORE Power Iloilo) recently introduced the E-Bus (electricity-powered bus) in Iloilo City. The development is part of the distribution utility’s promise of bringing ‘more to life’ to the metro.
The E-Bus is an airconditioned vehicle that can carry up to 20 passengers and can go as far as 100 kilometers when fully charged. It is powered by a lithium-ion battery and is assured to be environment-friendly as it does not emit smoke or produce excessive noise.
MORE Power partners with supplier Global Electric Transport (GET Philippines) in a bid to provide alternative means of transportation, aside from the fossil fuel power engine. MORE intends to bring at least 10 units of the E-bus to Iloilo City this year.
“Part ito ng sustainable objectives ng MORE Power and ang Iloilo city has always been promoting to be a sustainable city with sustainable initiatives. Since we are in the electric distribution business, we thought of bringing this in”, states MORE Power President Roel Castro.
The DU also intends to partner with transport cooperatives in the metro to introduce this type of transportation unit. E-Buses have been operating in various provinces and cities in the country, including Taguig City, Davao, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, Pampanga, and Batangas.
“Eventually, we want this promoted and that the transport coops will really get into this. This is part of our corporate social responsibility to really introduce a very important sustainable initiative here in the city,” Castro adds.
The development was welcomed and strongly supported by the local government. Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Trenas was among the first to try the vehicle.
“Thrilled to ride the eco-friendly e-bus of MORE Power. Let’s all do our part in reducing our carbon footprint and switch to sustainable transportation options” states Treñas.
