NEPC restores 76% power in Bacolod, nearby areas

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY — The Negros Electric and Power Corporation (NEPC) reported significant progress in power restoration efforts following Typhoon Tino, with 76.15 percent of its customers re-energized as of 10:00 a.m. on November 9, 2025.

NEPC Chief Operations Officer Engr. Bernard Bailey del Castillo said all major power infrastructures are now fully operational.

This includes 100 percent restoration of five sub-transmission lines, 11 substations, and 48 feeders across the franchise area.

Despite the backbone system being fully energized, 23.85 percent of customers—or 58,422 out of 244,915 consumers—remained without electricity due to localized line damages.

“We have fully energized our backbone system,” del Castillo said.

“The remaining challenge lies in restoring electricity at the household and barangay levels, where clearing operations and minor repairs are still ongoing,” he added.

He said NEPC field teams are working round-the-clock to prioritize heavily populated areas and critical facilities, including hospitals, water systems, and government offices.

NEPC also appealed for public understanding as pole replacement and clearing activities continue, with updates to be released in coordination with local government units.

Del Castillo admitted that additional manpower is needed to accelerate the restoration process.

Meanwhile, Bacolod City Mayor Greg Gasataya has ordered the deployment of Job Order (JO) personnel to support and fast-track clearing operations in various barangays.

The mayor issued the directive during a post-typhoon coordination meeting with department heads, as part of the city’s ongoing recovery and rehabilitation efforts.

“What we are looking into is how more can the city help in fast-tracking the clearing operations that are currently ongoing, most especially on the interior roads and subdivisions,” Gasataya said.

JO workers will assist in clearing accessible debris, such as fallen branches and blocked pathways, especially in affected interior roads.

This initiative will complement efforts by the City Engineer’s Office, Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Bacolod Environment and Natural Resources Office, and other departments.

Eight inter-departmental clearing clusters have been formed, consisting of representatives from the City Administrator’s Office, City Legal Office, City Engineer’s Office, City Health Office, General Services Office, Public Order and Safety Office, and BENRO.

The clusters also include personnel from the Bacolod City Police Office and the 303rd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army.

Each team has been assigned specific areas to clear roads, remove debris, and ensure public access to essential services.

As of the latest report, 278 trees were uprooted citywide and 29,000 residents sought shelter in evacuation centers during the peak of Typhoon Tino.

NEPC said it had restored 80 percent of power services, while PrimeWater reported 70 percent service restoration.

On Wednesday night, the Bacolod City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council recommended a State of Calamity declaration, which Mayor Gasataya endorsed to the Sangguniang Panlungsod.

The declaration will allow for the imposition of a price freeze and the release of emergency funds for affected barangays and displaced families.

Gasataya thanked frontliners, barangay officials, and partner agencies for their ongoing contributions to the city’s recovery.

“We are maximizing every available manpower to make sure Bacolod recovers faster,” he said.

“Our Job Order personnel play a vital role in ensuring that every street, every barangay, and every public space is cleared and safe.”

The city government urged residents to report remaining hazards or debris through their respective barangay offices or the Emergency Operations Center hotlines.