MORE Electric and Power Corp.'s (MORE Power) investment in modernizing Iloilo City's power distribution network helped cushion the impact of repeated power interruptions that hit the Visayas in May and June.

A study by the Institute of Contemporary Economics (ICE) said MORE Power's upgraded distribution system enabled the utility to better manage recurring Manual Load Dropping (MLD) ordered by the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP), helping protect critical services despite broader grid instability.

The report found that seven power interruptions recorded between 2 June and 19 June were "not ordinary local outages" but grid-security events caused by thin reserve margins, forced power plant outages, and transmission constraints.

On 10 June alone, the Visayas grid operated with only an 8-megawatt (MW) reserve against a demand of 2,421 MW. ICE estimated that every MLD ordered by NGCP puts about P12.7 million worth of Iloilo's economic output at risk.

Against this backdrop, the report said investments in the distribution network helped soften the impact of disruptions but underscored that strengthening only one segment of the power supply chain is not enough.

"Distribution modernization remains necessary because local network quality affects the reliability experienced by consumers.

It is not sufficient. Generation planning, transmission expansion, ancillary services, real-time system operations, regulatory approvals, and data disclosure all require the same discipline," it said.

"A modern power system is not one that merely restores service after interruption. It is one built with enough redundancy, automation, reserve capacity, and coordination to prevent avoidable curtailment," it added.

MORE Power said it has invested P2.65 billion in upgrading its distribution network since taking over Iloilo City's power franchise in 2020.

According to the report, the improvements enabled better feeder selection, load rotation and restoration sequencing during outages, helping keep hospitals, schools and other critical facilities energized.

The findings come as the Senate considers expanding MORE Power's franchise to neighboring areas.

ICE noted that a more modernized network will become increasingly important as Panay's power demand continues to grow at an 18.5 percent compounded annual rate.