Iloilo City mayor secures power pledges to strengthen local grid

In response to recurring power interruptions across Panay Island, Iloilo City Mayor Raisa Treñas has secured critical commitments from energy providers to boost power capacity and build grid redundancy for the fast-growing city. NGCP file photo ILOILO CITY — In response to recurring power interruptions across Panay Island, Iloilo City Mayor Raisa Treñas has secured critical commitments from energy providers to boost power capacity and build grid redundancy for the fast-growing city. In a statement released on Wednesday from South Korea, where she is currently on official travel, Treñas said the city government is proactively pursuing long-term solutions to safeguard local power stability despite regional supply challenges. “We know how frustrating these continuing interruptions and rotational brownouts are for our people,” Treñas noted. Article continues after this advertisement READ: Iloilo City mayor: No quick fix to power woes She added: “Even while the manual load shedding implemented by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) is not directly within the control of the city government, we will not just wait around.” To address Panay Island’s vulnerability as it sits at the tail end of the national power grid, the mayor outlined three major power generation projects to strengthen the island’s electricity supply. The mayor said Panay Energy Development Corporation (PEDC) has committed to expanding its generation capacity, with the additional power targeted to become fully operational by 2028. Meanwhile, cleaner energy provider PH Natural Gas is preparing to establish operations in Iloilo City, which is expected to help diversify the local energy mix. In nearby Guimaras, MORE Power is also set to operate a 40-megawatt (MW) floating power barge by the first quarter of 2027. The facility is expected to provide immediate backup power and help improve the reliability of electricity supply in Panay. Article continues after this advertisement Treñas noted that building redundancy—having multiple, independent sources of electricity—is essential to sustaining Iloilo’s rapid economic expansion and insulating it from wider grid failures. READ: Visayas power woes highlight need for gridwide upgrade Article continues after this advertisement “These are the investments we must continuously pursue because we cannot depend on just one source of power,” Treñas stressed. “Especially here in Panay, being at the tail end of the grid, having more generation, more sources, and more redundancy is vital.” To ensure these projects proceed without unnecessary delays, the mayor called on the national government and regulatory bodies to fast-track the required permits and approval processes so construction can begin immediately. READ: House probe sought over Visayas power woes Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful. She reaffirmed that the city administration will continue engaging with power utilities, private investors, and regional stakeholders to build a more resilient energy infrastructure for Iloilo City./coa