Negros Electric and Power Corporation (Negros Power), under Primelectric Holdings Inc., brought together leaders and representatives from private distribution utilities and the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) during the Private Electric Power Operators Association (PEPOA) Conference at Citadines Bacolod.
The conference was part of ASCEND 2026, carrying the theme “Powering the Future Together: Advancing Smarter Energy Innovations for a Resilient System”, a press release from Negros Poer said Wednesday, Sept. 16.
The gathering held on Sept. 10 provided an avenue for industry stakeholders to discuss developments, regulatory concerns, market operations, power supply, reliability, and other issues affecting the Philippine electricity sector, with particular attention to the Visayas.
Among the ERC officials present were Chairperson Francis Saturnino Juan, Supervising Energy Regulation Officer Roland Albert Rivera, and Sharon Montaner of the Market Operations Service.
PEPOA President Ranulfo Ocampo also attended the conference, along with representatives from various private distribution utilities.
Representing Negros Power and Primelectric Holdings Inc. was President and CEO Roel Z. Castro, together with company executives and representatives.
A major part of the conference was an open dialog between the ERC and representatives of distribution utilities. Participants were given the opportunity to raise questions, clarify regulatory matters, and share concerns and experiences from their respective areas.
Ocampo stressed the importance of collaboration among distribution utilities, regulators, and other industry stakeholders in addressing challenges facing the power sector.
“The power industry is facing challenges that cannot be addressed by one sector alone,” Ocampo said, emphasizing the need for continued cooperation and the exchange of experiences toward practical solutions.
Castro, meanwhile, underscored the importance of innovation and resilience as the power sector prepares for increasing energy requirements.
“Powering the future requires us to think ahead, embrace smarter technologies, and continuously improve the way we deliver electricity to our communities,” Castro said.
He also pointed to the importance of reliable power infrastructure in supporting communities, businesses, and economic growth in the Visayas.
“For us in the Visayas, reliability and resilience are not simply industry goals. They directly affect our communities, businesses, and the continued growth of our region,” Castro added.
The PEPOA Conference concluded with industry stakeholders reaffirming the importance of collaboration, innovation, infrastructure development, and stronger regulatory dialog in building a more reliable and resilient power system.
For Negros Power, hosting the conference further strengthened its role in industry discussions and initiatives aimed at addressing the evolving energy needs of the Visayas and the country, the press release said.*
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