ILOILO CITY — Rising generation and transmission costs continue to push up power rates across the country, with distribution utilities affected whenever the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) places the Visayas under yellow or red alert. Manual load-shedding during these alerts, caused by supply shortfalls, has disrupted normal operations. Limited supply amid high demand has driven prices higher, forcing many distribution utilities and electric cooperatives to raise their rates. In June, MORE Power relied more on bilateral suppliers because prices in the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) surged. Sixty-two percent of MORE Power’s supply came from bilateral contracts and 38 percent from WESM. Spot market prices climbed from ₱4.45/kWh to ₱10.30/kWh. Overall, the generation rate rose by ₱2.10/kWh, reaching ₱7.735/kWh. Meanwhile, MORE Power’s average distribution charge remains unchanged at ₱1.85/kWh and has been stable for more than three years. This June, MORE Powe...
PHINMA University of Iloilo (UI) is officially expanding its footprint to Capiz, bringing its signature brand of accessible, career-focused education to Roxas City. The expansion comes after securing official approval from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) on July 6 to open local campus operations. For its initial rollout this coming school year, PHINMA UI Roxas will focus on two high-demand sectors, offering Bachelor’s degrees in Tourism Management and Information Systems. PHINMA UI Roxas is located at Roxas Avenue Extension, Brgy. Lawa-an, Roxas City, Capiz. The school offers a Bachelor of Science in Information Systems and a Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management. This move aims to eliminate the need for young Capizenos to leave their hometowns in pursuit of top-tier tertiary education. By establishing a physical presence in Roxas, PHINMA UI is making it easier for local students to balance their academic aspirations with the comfort and support of staying clo...