Negros Power Strengthens Grid Reliability Ahead of May Elections

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY — Negros Power has intensified efforts to ensure stable electricity supply during the upcoming May 12 national and local elections through a major maintenance drive across its distribution network.

The rehabilitation and preventive maintenance activities were conducted over the weekend of April 26–27, targeting critical substations and power lines to fortify grid resilience.

Work began early Saturday at the Murcia Substation, with crews operating from 6:00 a.m. to 5:45 p.m., installing over 800 new insulators and repairing several aging lines.

Maintenance operations continued Sunday at the Reclamation Substation from 4:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., where another 400 insulators were mounted and defective equipment replaced.

“This intensive maintenance work is crucial in preventing unexpected power interruptions, especially during significant events like the elections,” said Engr. Oscar Duca, Area Office Assistant Manager of Negros Power.

“We are committed to delivering seamless service and taking proactive steps to reinforce our network’s reliability,” Duca added.

“Our goal is to ensure that when voters head to the polls on May 12, they can do so with full confidence that power disruptions will not interfere with the election process,” he said.

The maintenance activities form part of Negros Power’s obligations under a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed with the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) on April 7, 2025.

Under the MOA, Negros Power pledged to perform early preventive maintenance and rehabilitation to guarantee power reliability before, during, and immediately after election day.

To further support smooth electoral operations, Negros Power announced that starting April 28, 2025, there will be no scheduled power interruptions across its service areas.

Residents welcomed the company’s proactive approach, with Barangay 35 resident John Rey Canillada stating, “It’s reassuring to see Negros Power following through on their promises.”

“Instead of worrying about brownouts, it’s good to see them working hard and investing in better service for all of us,” Canillada said.

This weekend’s maintenance work is part of Negros Power’s broader five-year modernization and rehabilitation program launched earlier this year.

The ambitious program focuses on upgrading aging infrastructure, integrating innovative grid technologies, and enhancing service reliability across the region.

Negros Power emphasized that continuous investments in modernization are essential to delivering a more stable, efficient, and future-ready electricity service.

By prioritizing grid resilience during critical national events, Negros Power affirms its role not only as an energy provider but also as a partner in safeguarding democratic processes.

The Commission on Elections has consistently identified uninterrupted power supply as crucial to the integrity and transparency of elections.

Negros Power’s initiatives are aligned with the Department of Energy’s national directive to power utilities, requiring contingency measures to ensure grid stability during election periods.

Across the Philippines, utilities are under pressure to minimize outages during the high-stakes electoral season, when millions of Filipinos will cast their votes.

Through sustained modernization efforts and strategic partnerships, Negros Power positions itself at the forefront of delivering dependable energy when it matters most.