Iloilo City: More Electric and Power Corporation (MORE Power), the city's electricity distributor, reported on Monday that it is 98 percent prepared for the upcoming May 12 national and local elections. Engineer Christopher Serojano, deputy head of MORE Power's Network Development and Operations Group, said they are on track with the Department of Energy's (DOE) timeline and are finalizing only a few remaining tasks.

According to Philippines News Agency, to ensure uninterrupted power supply on election day, MORE Power will deploy inspectors near the polling precincts and canvassing centers in two shifts - morning and afternoon - to monitor power conditions and respond to any issues. 'We have response teams (RTs) in sites located near schools, not necessarily inside the schools, which will be deployed in case of minor troubles like low voltage,' Serojano stated.

For major troubles, MORE Power has a line-gang team equipped with the necessary materials that can be installed immediately in case of power trouble. A dedicated command center will operate at MORE Power headquarters, coordinating with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and Philippine National Police (PNP) command centers for immediate action. 'The mandate of our president, Roel Castro, is we will not leave schools, not until all winners are declared,' Serojano emphasized.

Last week, MORE Power also completed the feeder load balancing to ensure feeders or power distribution lines are reliable. The feeder load balancing is one of their maintenance activities in response to the increased power demand in Iloilo City, recorded at 13 percent. During the load balancing, single-phase load users, like residential consumers, are being transferred from one line to another based on the analysis of their power system planning department to reach a balance.

Serojano noted that they are looking at minimal unbalances, which are very low and pose no risks that can open their feeder to interrupt customers unless there are circumstances beyond the control of the power utility. Additionally, as mandated by the DOE, Comelec, and other government agencies, no maintenance-related power interruptions will be allowed two weeks before and after the election period.