The Senate approved the bill granting a franchise to the Negros Electric and Power Corporation (NEPC) to operate as the new power distribution utility in Central Negros on third and final reading on Monday, May 20.
The bill will need the signature of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to become a law.
House Bill 9805 granting the NEPC franchise was approved by a vote of 22-1 during a plenary session. The lone negative vote was from Senator Risa Hontiveros, NEPC spokesman Jonathan Cabrera said.
NEPC, which will operate through a Joint Venture Agreement with Central Negros Electric Cooperative, will take over its power distribution system in Bacolod, Silay, Talisay and Bago cities and the municipalities of Murcia and Don Salvador Benedicto.
Senator Grace Poe, Senate Committee Public Services chairperson, thanked her colleagues for supporting the bill. It aims to enhance consumer services by providing them with continued access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy, she said.
“It is my hope that the granting of the franchise would pave the way for better and more expansive power service,” she said.
“House Bill No. 9805 is a result of the public’s clamor for better service in Central Negros Occidental, which CENECO currently serves. NEPC has expressed its readiness and willingness to invest capital in modernizing the distribution system and addressing operational challenges,” Poe said in previous deliberations.
“We are also striving to create a business-friendly environment because doing so will ensure the success of this venture and future endeavors”, she said.*