Negros Electric and Power Corporation (Negros Power) on Monday, August 11, explained the importance of bill deposits and the option for refunds amid the transition from the Central Negros Electric Cooperative (CENECO).
Negros Power Assistant Vice President for Customer Care Maricel Pe said that the bill deposit is a mandatory and standard requirement for all Distribution Utilities (DUs) in the country, as mandated by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC).
It serves as a security measure to cover future electricity bills and ensure uninterrupted service, Pe said.
Pe added that new consumers who applied for a connection with Negros Power have already paid their bill deposit as part of the application and energization process.
For former CENECO consumers who still have an existing bill deposit with CENECO, there is an option to apply for a refund.
“This refund option is available exclusively to former CENECO consumers with an existing bill deposit with CENECO,” Pe said.
Negros Power will assist eligible former CENECO consumers in processing their bill deposit refund. Any refundable deposit will be coordinated with CENECO and, once approved, will be transferred directly to the consumer’s current Negros Power account, Pe said.
However, Pe stressed that not all consumers are automatically entitled to a refund.
Eligibility will depend on CENECO’s evaluation of each account.
Consumers are encouraged to visit Negros Power offices, where staff will guide them through the process, help them fill out the necessary CENECO application form for the bill deposit refund, and coordinate with CENECO on their behalf, he said.
This process is part of the Joint Venture Agreement between CENECO and Negros Power, which grants Negros Power the right to follow up on all concerns of its consumers with CENECO to ensure a smoother transition, including, but not limited to, bill deposit refunds.
“We want to make the transition as seamless as possible for our consumers,” Pe said.*