A group of Philippine power distribution utilities is pushing for the adoption of global best practices to improve the country’s electricity services, as energy systems become more complex and technology-driven.
Primelectric Holdings, the parent company of MORE Power, Negros Power, and Bohol Light, said it is optimistic that the Philippines will soon move closer to international standards in power distribution. This comes after its president and CEO, Roel Castro, led a Philippine delegation to the Distribution Technology Conference and Exhibit (DTECH) in San Diego, California.
The delegation included officials from the Department of Energy, the Energy Regulatory Commission, and private distribution utilities, highlighting a coordinated effort between government and industry to modernize the sector.
At the conference, participants learned how advanced countries are using new technologies, updated policies, and modern regulations to improve “last-mile” power delivery—the part of the system that directly serves homes and businesses. Castro said these experiences are highly relevant to the Philippines, especially as electricity customers increasingly become “prosumers” who both consume and generate power, such as through rooftop solar systems.
While this shift creates new opportunities, Castro said it also raises technical and safety challenges that require better protection systems, updated maintenance practices, and clearer rules. Discussions at DTECH also focused on keeping electricity reliable as power grids become more complex, including the use of digital tools and real-time monitoring to detect problems early and prevent outages.
The delegation also studied how U.S. policies and regulations are evolving to support these technologies, stressing the need to align innovation with practical and enforceable rules.
Primelectric said the conference underscored the importance of collaboration among utilities, regulators, technology providers, and international partners to ensure safer, more reliable, and future-ready power distribution in the Philippines.
