Mayor calls for urgent Senate action on NEPC franchise

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY – Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez is pressing the Senate, through Sen. Grace Poe’s committee, to expedite the bill that would grant a franchise to Negros Electric and Power Corp. (NEPC), which promises substantial upgrades to the power distribution infrastructure currently managed by Central Negros Electric Cooperative (Ceneco).

At a Monday press conference at the Bacolod City Government Center, Benitez emphasized the urgency of modernizing Ceneco’s aging facilities, as frequent power outages plague the service area—issues compounded by the soaring summer temperatures.

“The frequent outages in Ceneco’s coverage area, necessitating urgent equipment replacement, must be addressed,” Benitez stated, pointing to the joint venture between Ceneco and Primelectric, which conceived NEPC, as the crucial solution.

Benitez plans to personally lobby Senate members to underscore that the NEPC franchise is vital to rectify persistent outages affecting Bacolod City and neighboring areas, including Bago City, Talisay City, Silay City, Murcia, and Salvador Benedicto.

Roel Castro, NEPC’s CEO, remains optimistic about the Senate’s approval of the counterpart measure to House Bill 9805, which would sanction a 25-year franchise to NEPC for power distribution in various Negros Occidental localities.

Attending the recent Senate committee hearing led by Sen. Poe, Castro, along with Ceneco president Dwight Carbon and general manager Atty. Arnel Lapore, took the opportunity to argue the bill’s merits.

“Both sides of the issue were adequately represented at the hearing, a critical step in our collective goal to improve power distribution services,” Castro said, reflecting on the balanced discussions and expressing hope for a favorable outcome.

Sen. Poe reassured that the committee aims to support development and better public services, a stance that aligns with NEPC’s objectives and Mayor Benitez’s advocacy for immediate action.