Negros Power Reports Big Gains Nine Months After Takeover

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY – Nine months after taking over electric distribution operations in Central Negros, Negros Electric and Power Corporation (Negros Power) reported major improvements in infrastructure, service reliability, and consumer engagement.

In a June 6 meeting with consumer and business leaders at the company’s main office in Bacolod City, Negros Power President and CEO Roel Z. Castro presented a detailed report highlighting the utility’s key achievements since beginning operations in August 2024.

“From day one, our goal has been to modernize the system, restore public confidence, and provide reliable, responsive electric service,” Castro said.

Among the company’s top accomplishments is the full rehabilitation of the Alijis Substation, now fitted with new and uprated power transformers.

Other substations also underwent improvements to increase system capacity and reliability.

Negros Power also completed rehabilitation of the 30-kilometer Bacolod–Silay 69kV subtransmission line, replacing old poles and installing new pin insulators.

Vegetation clearing along power lines helped reduce outages and boost system performance.

To ensure continuous service, the utility installed automatic circuit reclosers, load break and disconnect switches, replaced bare wires with insulated lines, and added rubber inserts to prevent animal-related disruptions.

These upgrades significantly reduced the frequency and duration of power interruptions.

Energy-efficient distribution transformers were installed across the franchise area to manage load and enhance power quality.

The company also ramped up anti-pilferage efforts to cut system loss, safeguard the grid, and protect legitimate consumers from the impact of illegal connections.

Negros Power replaced thousands of defective and outdated meters with new digital models at no cost to consumers.

It also launched over 100 new payment centers to improve billing convenience.

The company simplified the new connection process and now assists applicants with permit processing at the Office of the Building Official.

A 24/7 customer service team was activated, accessible via dedicated hotlines and Facebook Messenger, with real-time updates posted on social media.

The Sitio Electrification Program is energizing underserved and remote communities through the installation of new poles, transformers, and meters.

“We did it in 17 sitios and invested nearly PHP26 million, benefiting 1,671 households,” Castro said.

Negros Power is now implementing advanced technologies as part of its modernization roadmap.

These include a centralized control center, Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems, drones for aerial inspections and thermal scanning, and a Geographic Information System (GIS) for asset mapping.

The utility also activated real-time response monitoring for faster emergency handling.

The Underground Distribution System project on Lacson Street is under construction and is expected to be completed before the MassKara Festival in October.

Despite heavy infrastructure investments, Negros Power maintained the lowest average power rates in the region.

This was made possible through strategic power supply contracts and close monitoring of spot market prices to ensure a competitive generation mix.

Wennie Sancho, president of the Alliance of Concerned Consumers in Electricity and Social Services, praised the shift in service quality.

“Negros Power is changing the narrative by putting consumer welfare at the center of its operations,” he said.

Frank Carbon, co-chair of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Energy and Power Committee for Visayas, called stable, modern power essential to economic growth.

CENECO General Manager Atty. Arnel Lapore said the company’s “efficient management and clear vision have brought much-needed improvements.”

Christian Weber of Amlig Kuryente said, “The presentation was very impressive, with transparency and real progress that consumers can now clearly see.”

Consumer rights advocate Atty. Cesar Beloria added, “The improvements are real, and we will play a proactive role because this is our distribution system.”

In closing, Castro reaffirmed Negros Power’s long-term commitment to rehabilitation, modernization, and inclusive service delivery.

“The journey has just begun,” he said.

“We owe it to our consumers to deliver reliable, accessible, and affordable electricity for years to come.”

He also appealed for public patience, noting that four more years are needed for the full impact of the company’s rehabilitation and modernization plans to be felt.