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House body okays NEPC franchise subject to submission of documents

Rep. Juliet Marie Ferrer (Neg. Occ., 4th District), Rep. Stephen Paduano (Abang Lingkod Partylist) and Rep. Greg Gasataya (Bacolod) at the hearing of the House Committee on Legislative Franchises on Monday*

The House Committee on Legislative Franchises has approved the proposed Negros Electric and Power Corporation (NEPC) franchise subject to submission of certain documents, Rep. Francisco Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District) said on Tuesday, November 14.

House Bill 9310 outlines the transfer of the franchise from Central Negros Electric Cooperative to NEPC, which covers the cities of Bacolod, Bago, Silay, and Talisay, and the municipalities of Murcia and Don Salvador Benedicto.

The committee decision came following a comprehensive review of the initiative presented by Benitez, Rep. Juliet Marie Ferrer (Neg. Occ., 4th District), Rep. Stephen Paduano (Abang Lingkod Partylist) and Rep. Greg Gasataya (Bacolod).

The Negrense representatives underscored the urgency of NEPC’s intervention, citing the financial struggles faced by CENECO. These challenges stem from a shortage of Capital Expenditures crucial for the modernization of existing facilities, they said.

The House Committee on Legislative Franchises chaired by Rep. Gus Tambunting (Parañaque, 2nd District) approved, in principle the proposed house bill subject to submission of specific documentary requirements.

NEPC President Roel Castro said that they would submit the documents and answer in writing the issues raised by some committee members.

The move signifies a critical juncture in reshaping the energy landscape in Central Negros, with NEPC poised to play a transformative role in the area’s electric distribution service, he said.

Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said after the approval of the franchise at the committee level it will go to the plenary and the Senate.

He does not expect any hitches and major obstacles to the final approval of the franchise by both Houses of Congress, Benitez said.

He hopes its approval will be this year so that NEPC can move forward and provide better services, Benitez added

One of the things he likes about NEPC is they will promote green energy, he said.

“We are looking at converting Bacolod as one of the first cities to be have fully renewable sources of power,” he said.

Meanwhile, there might be a water concessionaire proponent coming into Bacolod very soon, Benitez said.

Benitez is entertaining the entry of a second water concessionaire in Bacolod under a public private partnership.

It will service the water needs of Bacolodnons, despite the existence of the Bacolod City Water District, he said.

“For utilities there is no such thing as exclusivity anymore, the Supreme Court has struck down any arrangement to that matter,” he said.*

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