Negros Power President and CEO Roel Z. Castro presents a comprehensive report during a meeting with consumer and business leaders on Friday, June 6*
Nine months after assuming the electric distribution operations in Central Negros, Negros Electric and Power Corporation (Negros Power) reported sweeping improvements in infrastructure, service reliability, and consumer engagement, signaling a transformative era for local power consumers.
Negros Power President and CEO Roel Z. Castro presented a comprehensive report detailing the company’s key achievements since starting operations in August 2024 at a recent meeting with consumer and business leaders on Friday, June 6.
“From day one, our goal has been to modernize the system, restore public confidence, and extend reliable, responsive electric service to all. The progress we’ve made is just the beginning of a broader transformation,” Castro said.
MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURE
Among the most notable achievements in the past nine months is the complete rehabilitation of the Alijis Substation, which is now equipped with new and uprated power transformers. Additional improvements were carried out in other substations to enhance system capacity and resilience, a Negros Power press release said Sunday.
The company also successfully rehabilitated the entire 30-kilometer Bacolod–Silay 69kV subtransmission line, replacing aging poles and installing new pin insulators, it said.
A massive vegetation clearing initiative complemented this effort, reducing the risks of outages and improving system reliability.
To further improve service continuity, Negros Power installed Automatic Circuit Reclosers, Load Break, and Disconnect Switches, replaced bare wires with insulated lines, and added rubber inserts to minimize animal intrusions.
This resulted in a significant reduction in the frequency and duration of power interruptions, the press release said.
BETTER QUALITY POWER
Energy-efficient distribution transformers were strategically installed and uprated across the franchise area, helping manage load more effectively while improving power quality for consumers, it said.
The company also intensified efforts to reduce system loss by initiating strict anti-electricity pilferage campaigns, ensuring accountability, and protecting legitimate consumers from losses due to illegal connections.
CONSUMER-CENTERED INITIATIVES
Negros Power replaced thousands of defective and outdated electric meters with new, digital models—at no additional cost to consumers, the press release said.
To further improve convenience, the company activated over 100 new payment centers, dramatically increasing accessibility for bill payments.
The application process for new connections was streamlined, with the utility now actively assisting applicants with permit processing at the Office of the Building Official (OBO).
Negros Power established a 24/7 customer service team accessible through dedicated helplines and Facebook Messenger, while maintaining consistent advisories and real-time service updates through social media platforms, it added.
POWERING REMOTE COMMUNITIES
One of the most impactful Negros Powe initiatives is the Sitio Electrification Program, which has already begun energizing remote and previously unserved communities, the press release said.
This effort involves installing new poles, transformers, and meters, providing reliable power access to areas that had long been in the dark.
“No one should be left in the dark. The Sitio Electrification Program is about progress and inclusion. We did it in 17 sitios and invested nearly 26 million pesos, benefiting 1,671 households,” Castro said.
MODERNIZATION UNDERWAY
Looking ahead, Negros Power is laying the groundwork for its modernization roadmap, he added.
The utility has started implementing advanced technologies such as a centralized control center, Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems, drones for aerial surveys and thermal scanning, and a Geographic Information System (GIS) for asset mapping, the press release said.
Real-time monitoring of response times has also been activated to improve emergency handling and maintenance work.
The Underground Distribution System project in Lacson Street is underway and expected to be completed before Bacolod’s Masskara Festival in October.
COMPETITIVE POWER RATES
Despite the wave of infrastructure investments, Negros Power maintained the lowest average rates in the region.
This was achieved through strategic power supply contracting and diligent monitoring of spot market prices to secure the most competitive generation mix, the press release said.
Wennie Sancho, President of the Alliance of Concerned Consumers of Electricity and Social Services (ACCESS), said “For years, consumers suffered from unreliable service and poor communication. Negros Power is changing that narrative by putting consumer welfare at the center of its operations.”
Frank Carbon, co-chair of Energy and Power Committee of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry for Visayas and former President of the Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said, “Stable and modern power is essential to economic growth. The direction Negros Power is taking is exactly what Bacolod and the rest of Central Negros need.”
CENECO general manager Arnel Lapore said “Negros Power’s efficient management and clear vision have brought much-needed improvements.”
“I am very much impressed with the presentation today. I can definitely vouch that it has improved very tremendously. Katahum sang presentation because there is transparency, then at least now it is clear to us, especially sa mga consumers group nga dako gid ang na improved. As of right now, I would like to commend Negros Power,” Christian Weber of Amlig Kuryente said.
“Very Impressive, and improvement is far advanced. That is reality. That is why ari kami diri. We will play a proactive role, buligan naton kay aton ni distribution system. Makita naton ang improvement sa diri palang sa new office, ma impress kana plus ang mga reported improvements kag future plans, nami gid,” consumer rights advocate Cesar Beloria stated after the session.
SUSTAINED PROGRESS
Negros Power, at the meeting, reaffirmed its commitment to continue investing in infrastructure, modern technology, consumer care programs, and inclusive service delivery across Central Negros.
“The journey has just begun. We owe it to our consumers to deliver reliable, accessible, and affordable electricity for years to come,” Castro said.
“We are asking for the patience and understanding of consumers as we need four more years for consumers to feel the improvements of our full rehabilitation and modernization plan”, he added.*PR