News

By Vincent P. Grecia

National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP)’s claim that the grid remained in a “normal” state when a plant of the Panay Energy Development Corp. (PEDC) tripped around 12 noon of January 2, 2024 is misleading according to Senators attending the inquiry on massive power outage in Western Visayas on January 10, 2024.
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian cited NGCP’s claim to be “misleading” considering that the power plant of the PEDC already tripped.
“When one of the plants went down, it created a negative margin. In other words, mas mataas yung demand kaysa sa (the demand became higher than the) supply. Officially, that will create an imbalance in the grid,” Gatchalian said.
“It’s misleading because it’s no longer in a normal state. It’s deficit margin,” he added.
When asked about the claim, Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) Chairperson Monalisa Dimalanta said what happened can already be qualified to be in an alert or emergency state by the Philippine Grid Code.
“Emergency na siya (It is an emergency) because for an emergency state in Section 6223 of the Grid Code, it says emergency state — any of the following conditions exist: generation deficiency or operating margin is zero,” Dimalanta said.
The ERC chief also pointed out that NGCP’s claim was focusing on the grid frequency and the voltage requirements which are just part of the six parameters to consider if the grid is in a normal state.
Clark Agustin, who heads NGCP’s Visayas System Operations, claimed to the panel that before the tripping of PEDC power plant, the grid was in normal condition.
“Meaning, the voltages, frequency, loading levels of transmission lines, our operating margin is sufficient. So, normal,” Agustin told senators.
Even when the PEDC power plant had an unplanned outage, Agustin said the system remained stable.
“Normal po yung system, stable siya (The system is normal, it was stable). Voltages and frequency are within limits, normal limits. Loading levels, wala tayong (We had no) transmission line which was overloaded,” Agustin insisted.
“Between 12:06 p.m. to 2:19 p.m., since stable nga po yung grid (the grid was stable) — voltage and frequency were in normal limits within required. Wala po tayong (We had no) overloaded line or tripping of lines. So, we did a normal dispatch, process, responsibility as system operations,” he added.
Senator Raffy Tulfo, who chairs the panel, was annoyed by Agustin’s statements saying NGCP should have done something when the PEDC power plant shut down.
Meanwhile, Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero raised the need to have the Philippine Grid Code reviewed to prevent similar incidents from happening.
Escudero cited the current situation wherein power plants can make an unscheduled shutdown if it affects only frequency but is silent about unbalance and voltage.
Local officials from Western Visayas, who were also present during the inquiry, are seeking to make NGCP accountable by paying their billions of economic losses during the massive power outage.
Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas, in his statement during the hearing, urged the body to hold those responsible for the massive brownout accountable, adding that no one was blamed when a similar incident happened in April of 2023.
“I ask you this time, find someone who is guilty, hold them accountable, and let them pay,” said the mayor, who joined the hearing virtually.
He said the city suffered a loss of an estimated P2 billion or an estimated P500 million a day.
“We are serious this time, and we hope, ultimately, the Senate and the House of Representatives together, to punish those who are accountable and to hold them accountable for these losses, especially in my beloved city,” he added.
Governor Arthur Defensor Jr., for his part, pleaded for an immediate solution to the problem and pushed for the perfection of the management of the grid and completion of phase 3 of the Cebu Negros Panay (CNP) backbone and other ancillary civil structures to strengthen the grid.
“We in Iloilo and the rest in Western Visayas are positioning to take legal recourse to vindicate the rights of our people so they can be compensated for the damage done, and more importantly, to exert the strongest pressure so that the blackout will not happen again,” he said.
The province, he added, has suffered P3.8 billion in economic losses.
Guimaras Governor JC Rahman Nava, meanwhile, asked the committee for a review of the “swinging reserves” billed by the NGCP to consumers.
He said more than 30 to 50 percent of the monthly bill are for ancillary support services, including contingency and dispatch reserves intended to prevent incidents like outages, that are passed on to consumers.
“Paying that much monthly to guarantee incidents such as this will not happen is too much for us consumers. This should be put under review,” he said. (Reports from PNA)

For four years now, MORE Power has remained steadfast in its commitment to the Ilonggo community. Beyond its role as the city’s sole power distributor, the company has continued its efforts to help uplift the lives of the Ilonggos.
Recently, MORE Power extended support to various charitable institutions in Iloilo City through its Strategic Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, which consistently generate beneficial effects on the local community.
The identified charitable institutions include Asilo de Molo, Friends of Cancer Kids Iloilo Foundation, Inc., Philippine Red Cross, Homeless People’s Federation Philippines, Inc., St. Clement’s Parish Church, the Carmelite Monastery, Colegio De San Jose, Assumption Iloilo, Ati Orphanage and Children Center, Jaro Archdiocesan Social Action Center, and St. Vincent Ferrer Seminary, Inc.
What made this year’s effort particularly remarkable was the involvement of the company’s Key Accounts. Through our active participation and support in our Christmas caroling, these key accounts contributed funds that increased the allocated budget for this noble activity.
This collaborative engagement elevated the CSR initiative, amplifying the company’s core values and its dedication to serving the community.
MORE Power’s initiative marked a significant shift by not just championing a charitable cause but also fostering ongoing support for these institutions. Among the prominent key accounts that responded to MORE Power’s call were Golden Portal Industries, Grand Canyon Multi Holdings, Inc., Florete Group of Companies, Tatoy’s Manokan and Seafood, Uy Group of Companies, Alfonso Tan Group of Companies, Mr. Tony Jon, Toyota Iloilo, 21 Hotels, JD Bakeshop, and Grand Xing Imperial Hotel.
Apart from the funds that MORE Power allocated to each beneficiary, additional funds were collected from these key accounts.
In embracing our responsibility towards Iloilo’s well-being, MORE Power remains deeply honored to join hands with the community in creating meaningful change. Our journey alongside these esteemed charitable institutions signifies not just corporate support but a shared commitment to nurturing hope and resilience within our beloved city.
The involvement of our Key Accounts in the Christmas caroling underscores the power of unity in serving a greater purpose. As we reflect on this collaborative success, MORE Power remains resolute in our dedication to sustaining these impactful initiatives, recognizing that true progress arises from collective compassion and unrelenting support for our community’s well-being.

Governor Arthur Defensor, Jr. brought joy to the 1,100 inmates of Iloilo District Jail (IDJ) in Brgy. Nanga, Pototan, Iloilo as he revived the traditional giftgiving activity on December 23, two days before Christmas.

Gov. Defensor last held the giftgiving activity at IDJ in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic.

The tradition was started by the governor’s father, former Governor Arthur Defensor, Sr. in celebration of his birthday which falls on Christmas Day, December 25.

Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) Assistant Regional Director for Operations and Iloilo Provincial Administrator Jail Supt. Vicente Papelera and IDJ Acting Warden Jail Chief Insp. Denver Beltran assisted Gov. Defensor in the ceremonial distribution of giftpacks to representatives of the different dormitories inside IDJ.

The giftpacks contains toiletries, such as toothpaste, bath soap, and shampoo, and coffee and sugar, among others.

Papelera thanked Gov. Defensor for bringing back his traditional giftgiving activity which was missed by the IDJ inmates for three years.

Gov. Defensor assured the BJMP officials and inmates of the Iloilo provincial government’s continued support in terms of infrastructures and improved facilities.

He also floated the idea of livelihood and skills training for the inmates at the provincial government’s Agriculture Research and Training (ART) Center which is located just outside the IDJ.

A Holy Mass presided by Rev. Fr. Ildefonso Cachuela preceded the giftgiving activity.

Also present were Punong Barangay Julie Sequio of Brgy. Nanga and some provincial government department heads and personnel, and the Iloilo Provincial Capitol Press Corps.

The officials and staff of Iloilo Provincial Employees and Community Multi-purpose Cooperative (IPECMPC) also helped facilitate the conduct of Gov. Defensor’s giftgiving activity as part of their community service.

As an expression of gratitude, the BJMP gave Gov. Defensor a Certificate of Appreciation and a colorful painting made by inmate Abner Politico. (Capitol News)

Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair, a convergence of national government agencies’ distribution of equipment, financial assistance, scholarship programs, livelihood assistance, and payouts to priority sectors, has brought the government closer to the communities in Guimbal town in the province of Iloilo.

Mario Boglosa, President of Baras Farmers Association in Barotac Nuevo, conveyed his gratitude to the government for availing various equipment under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) mechanization component of the Department of Agriculture – Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization.

“Nagapasalamat gid ako sa Department of Agriculture nga naka-avail kami sang harvester kag transplanter. Daku gid ina nga bulig sa amon pangunguma kag barangay. Sa liwat nagapasalamat man ako ilabi na sa aton nga presidente nga nakakuha kami machinery sa amon nga pagpanguma, (I am grateful to the Department of Agriculture that we were able to avail of the harvester and the transplanter.  This will be a big help to our farm and to our barangay. Again, thank you especially to our President that we were able to get these machineries for our farm.)” Boglosa expressed.

A total of P900 million worth of programs and services were brought to the province. Of the figure, P200 million was distributed as financial assistance.

With 51 participating national government agencies, over 160 services were offered to some 80,000 beneficiaries during the two-day fair, which started on December 9.

Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, who served as the keynote speaker, emphasized President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration’s brand of leadership to cascade government services to the grassroots level.

“Ang pangako ng Bagong Pilipinas ay isang pamahalaan na hindi naghihintay. Pamahalaan na kusang lumalapit sa mamamayan upang tugunan ang pangangailangan sa mas lalong madaling panahon,” Romualdez said.

“Sa serbisyo fair, nagsama sama ang iba’t ibang mga sangay ng pamahalaan upang maihatid at maipangako na mas mabilis at mas mahalagang impormasyon at serbisyo tungo sa ating sama-samang pag-unlad,” he added.

The BPSF offered social services from the Department of Health (DOH), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Human Settlement and Urban Development (DHSUD), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), National Food Authority (NFA), Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA).

Under livelihood and educational services, the following agencies offered services: Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Technical Skills and Development Authority (TESDA), DENR, OCD, and FDA.

In terms of regulatory functions, the BPSF extended services from the following government agencies: Department of Foreign Affairs, Philippine National Police (PNP), Land Transportation Office (LTO), Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Bureau (LTFRB), Professional Regulations Commission (PRC), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

Other government services also include those from the Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT), Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), Social Security System, PhilHealth, Pag-Ibig, Public Attorney’s Office (PAO), and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP).

Apart from the services, the BPSF also highlighted the administration’s flagship program, “Kadiwa ng Pangulo” which supports the agriculture industry to ensure food security at a reasonable price.

To note, the BPSF in Iloilo is the ninth leg of the event as it aims to cover all 83 provinces in the country. (PIA Iloilo)

The Boys Scout of the Philippines now has a digital approach to address questions about its biggest event as City Mayor and 18th National Scout Jamboree Camp Chief Atty. Stephen A. Palmares formally unveiled the official Jamboree Portal.

The Jamboree Portal is an all-in-one application, supported by the Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT) and DigiHwy, through the initiative of the 18th NSJ Information Center Committee.

The newly launched app can be accessed three ways: through a QR Code, its website (http://dhwy.ph/jamboree), or with the application that can be downloaded from the website.

It contains the basic answers to the needs of the participants and guests for the December 11–17, 2023 event.

From the routes to the City of Passi, to the Access to Travel, Passi City LGU Emergency Hotlines, or on the 18th NSJ Program Outlines and Schedules – the Jamboree Portal has it all.

Each tab has an attached image which is easy to click and expandable. And the best feature of the Jamboree Portal is that – it can be accessed offline.

“The basic purpose of the app is to provide convenience to its users who have no access to the internet in their area, or on travel, off-site activities, or within the vicinity of the Pintados de Passi Camp,” said one of its creators. “It also contains personalized schedules favorable to the members of each sub-camp.”

With the launching, the City of Passi has just created an alternative way to direct participants and guests to the roads leading to the home of the 18th National Scout Jamboree, and made it easier to monitor all its activities.

In a groundbreaking achievement for urban infrastructure development, MORE Power’s Underground Distribution Services (UDS) project along JM Basa Street is advancing rapidly, with an anticipated completion date set for June 2024.

The civil works, constituting 35% of the project and encompassing dredging and drilling activities, are well underway. Engr. ArmilLogarta, Head of Project Development and Management at MORE Power, affirms that the project, launched on October 10, 2023, is progressing seamlessly according to schedule, with no reported delays to date.

Projected for completion in June 2024, with an additional 2 months allocated for the removal of existing facilities, the UDS initiative spans from the corner of Arroyo St., Aldeguer St., Guanco St., Mapa St., Ortiz St., until Rizal/Zamora St. (Burgos St.) and Libertad Plaza.

This encompasses a onekilometer stretch of Iloilo City’s historic business district, including the heritage zone known as Calle Real.

Engr. Logarta elaborated on the UDS project’s three pivotal phases: Phase 1 involves intricate civil works, Phase 2 centers on electrical works, covering cable laying and termination, and Phase 3 culminates with the removal of existing overhead lines and structures, unlocking the full potential of the UDS project.

The phase 2 or the actual undergrounding of cables is expected to commence in January 2024 and run until June 2024. Utilizing Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD), a cutting-edge method for installing underground utilities and plumbing, the UDS project stands apart from traditional methods by eliminating the need for open trenches.

This approach ensures minimal disruptions to the downtown area, with construction activities strategically conducted from 7:00 PM to 7:00 AM, contributing to a smoother traffic flow during daytime.

During the May 30, 2023 groundbreaking ceremony, Engr. Bernard Bailey Del Castillo, Vice President for Network Operations, highlighted that the UDS project will eliminate the risks of geckos, birds, and rats approaching overhead lines, ensuring a safer and more reliable electrical infrastructure.

This includes resolving the menace of power outages caused by animal intrusion and addressing the annual concern of balloons slipping away during the Dinagyang festival.

Additionally, this will also eradicate the need for periodic tree trimming, allowing the trees to grow unhindered.

MORE Power’s President and CEO, Roel Castro, expressed that the UDS project reflects the company’s steadfast commitment to supporting local government initiatives, particularly in preserving the cultural and heritage aspects of the community.

Castro remarked, “I believe there are very few cities in the Philippines that can genuinely boast of having a rich heritage and culture, evident in the edifices and monuments scattered around the city. These structures serve as testaments to the city’s exceptionally rich cultural and historical legacy.”

Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas emphasized that the removal of above-ground power lines will notably diminish the risk of accidents stemming from adverse weather conditions, fallen trees, and unforeseen circumstances. This initiative aims to provide uninterrupted power to residences, businesses, hospitals, and schools.

He expressed, “This enhanced reliability will stimulate economic growth, entice new investments, and cultivate a favorable environment for businesses to flourish.” The Underground Distribution System (UDS) stands as one of the diverse investments that MORE Power has introduced to the City of Love since commencing its operations in 2020.