Give Negros Power 5 years

By Herbert Vego

THIS is good news for power consumers in the Negros Occidental cities of Bacolod, Bago, Silay, and Talisay; and the towns of Don Salvador Benedicto and Murcia.

Their “brand new” power-distribution utility, Negros Electric and Power Corporation (Negros Power), has blasted off to a long journey – its comprehensive 5-year development plan.

To recall, Negros Power emerged from a joint venture agreement between the old Central Negros Cooperative (CENECO) and Primelectric Holdings Inc. (PHI), ratified in a plebiscite by the majority of the former’s customers in August 2023.

Negros Power, a subsidiary of the five-year-old MORE Power of Iloilo City, was incorporated on July 31, 2024 to supersede CENECO. Both distribution utilities have Roel Z. Castro as president/CEO.

The joint venture was a timely intervention which saved the cooperative from bankruptcy arising from huge loans it could no longer pay; and incapacity to maintain its facilities in good order and condition.

To reverse these problems, Negros Power has allocated a significant budget of ₱2.5 billion, which is crucial, as CENECO’s financial lack had led to unreliable and inefficient electricity service. The aging substations, lines, poles, transformers, and lack of new equipment had triggered frequent unscheduled power interruptions, increased system losses, and a decline in electricity quality.

Thus, Negros Power had to step in, effectively picking up where had CENECO left off. Without this ₱2.5 billion investment, power consumers would endure worsening power outages, unable to cope with the growing demand that is now fueled by the ongoing modernization work.

However, this transformation would not be possible without hurdling the inherent risks and inconveniences that are inherent in electricity itself. That explains why it involves temporary power outages during repairs and upgrades.

Now rising are Negros Power’s most critical components: the 69-kv sub-transmission lines connecting to the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) substations, and feeder lines. These are the backbone of the system, and any failure can lead to widespread and prolonged outages.

The 5-year timeline allows for a phased and strategic approach, minimizing inconvenience to consumers. In the long run, it will pay off by way of uninterrupted power supply.

It’s like taking your damaged cellular phone to a repair shop. Once it’s back in your hands, the inconvenience of waiting during repair fades away as the phone functions better than ever.

More power to Negros Power!

-oOo-

EX-IBP PREXY RUNNING FOR THE BOARD

REMEMBER when former Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) national president Abdiel “Ade” Fajardo ran for congressman of Antique in 2022 but lost to Antonio Agapito “AA” Legarda?

Well, it was not really unexpected. It was no joke fighting Sen. Loren Legarda’s hitherto unknown brother.  They have the money.

Ade is not someone to discourage.  He is running again, but for the lower position of Sangguniang Panlalawigan member.  When I messaged him why, wrote back,:

“I made a Quixotic campaign for Congress in 2022. I do not regret it. I offered myself to the people, impelled by the possibility, though remote, that the people would give a premium to competence, integrity, and dedication, in selecting their public servants.

“I thought that was my first and last foray into the rough world of popular elections. But I guess that setback became a challenge to do better in a field I was not familiar with, and to not give up on the province of my youth. Home is where the heart is, I guess.

“I am running to support the legislative agenda of Gov. Rhodora Cadiao – a “tumanduk” Antikenyo. The Province of Antique managed to garner the status of first-class Province for the first time under her leadership, and she can fight for further progress in the halls of Congress.

“I can serve the Antiquenos through the more reachable Sangguniang Panlalawigan where local legislation is processed and where my legal training can be quite an asset. Nonetheless, there is no ‘high’ or ‘low’ position in public service as everyone is an important part of the machine of governance. It can move us forward or backward depending on the sum performance of its parts.”