Negros Electric and Power Corp. (Negros Power) was officially authorized to begin its operations in October 2024, taking over electric distribution services from Central Negros Electric Cooperative (CENECO). The private utility now serves the cities of Bacolod, Silay, Talisay, and Bago, as well as the municipalities of Murcia and Don Salvador Benedicto in Negros Occidental.
A few months into its operations, Negros Power continues to improve the local grid. In February, it carried out a two-day upgrade targeting key areas linked to Burgos Feeder 3 and the 69kV Bacolod-Silay line. The project aims to strengthen infrastructure against typhoons, reduce outages, and maintain a steady power supply to homes and businesses.
The project replaced 18 old poles and installed 235 new pin insulators from Barangay Granada to Barangay Alangilan in Bacolod City. Additionally, tree wires were added to improve network stability. Along the subtransmission line, seven deteriorating poles and three insulators were replaced to strengthen the power network’s integrity.
These improvements are central to Negros Power’s five-year Rehabilitation and Modernization program, focusing on high-risk zones to guarantee consistent service for all users.
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The transition: how and why Negros Power assumed CENECO’s role
Prior to Negros Power’s takeover, CENECO consumers expressed dissatisfaction with the cooperative’s services.
In August 2024, Bacolod City Council’s Committee on Energy and Public Utilities Chairperson Claudio Puentevella approved a resolution requesting Negros Power to submit a plan addressing the frequent, unscheduled outages affecting CENECO consumers.
Puentevella stated, “In several instances, most power interruptions are unscheduled which causes inconvenience to the resident consumers,” He added that these outages disrupted business productivity in the city.
Meanwhile, Julie Alob, Chairperson of the Banago Yuhom Takers Association, voiced concerns over the high system losses of the electric cooperative. She remarked, “The services of CENECO are inadequate, contrary to our expectations. We have to bear the financial burden of the systems loss(es) incurred by CENECO, but being passed on to our electricity rate charges.”
The unreliable power supply also affected essential services, including water distribution, as electricity is crucial for operating water pumps. Nona Dela Cruz of the Tinagong Paraiso Empowered Women’s Organization pointed out, “Without power or energy, there is no water supply for drinking, personal hygiene, and daily chores at home.”
To address these challenges, Primelectric Holdings Inc., a subsidiary of MORE Electric and Power Corporation, proposed a Joint Venture Agreement (JVA) with CENECO to modernize the power distribution system in Central Negros. Under the agreement, Primelectric acquired 70% of the assets while CENECO maintained a 30% equity stake in the newly formed Negros Power.
House Bill No. 9805, which outlined the operational parameters for Negros Power, passed the Senate with overwhelming support. On July 26, 2024, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed Republic Act No. 12011, granting Negros Power a 25-year franchise to operate in CENECO’s former service areas.
(Also read: Electric Coops’ Underinvestment Threatens Panay Grid)
Changes initiated by Negros Power
In the first few months of operation, the company addressed approximately 200 daily power outages in Bacolod City, primarily caused by overloaded and outdated distribution transformers. Efforts included replacing over 5,000 defective electric meters to help reduce system losses.
Negros Power also worked to clear backlogs in the delivery of electric bills and planned to hire more meter readers to ensure timely billing. The company implemented Spot Billing Machines to quickly retrieve meter data and detect discrepancies, ensuring more accurate billing and reducing errors.
Additionally, Negros Power has outlined a five-year development plan with an investment of PHP2.5 billion. The initial three years focus on extensive rehabilitation work, followed by modernization and expansion efforts in the subsequent two years.
The company has also prioritized upgrading substations to enhance grid reliability. This includes major rehabilitation at the Panaogao Substation in Silay City, temporarily impacting 10,221 consumers, and improvements at the Reclamation Substation.
In March 2025, Negros Power decreased electricity rates by P0.6711 per kilowatt-hour, which was achieved through lower generation costs and improved system efficiencies.
To foster electrical safety and reduce fire risks, Negros Power has partnered with the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and local barangays in Bacolod City. The company aims to raise awareness in 284 fire-prone sitios, promote safety practices, ensure compliance, and convert unmetered households.
Strengthening Central Negros with stable power supply
The Alliance of Concerned Consumers in Electricity and Social Service (ACCESS), through its research division, the Consumers Information Network (CIN), has observed positive changes in Negros Power’s performance. CIN’s assessment pointed out improvements in tracking outage frequency, handling customer concerns, and the effectiveness of resolving reported issues.
These efforts are crucial as the region, particularly Central Negros, continues to play a vital role in the economic growth of the Visayas region. In 2023, Negros Occidental’s economy expanded by 6.9%, slightly surpassing the previous year’s growth. Notably, Bacolod City, the region’s economic hub, achieved a remarkable 10% growth, making it the second-fastest growing economy in Western Visayas that year.
Recently, progress in Negros has been highlighted by the inauguration of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) regional office in the Negros Island Region (NIR). NEDA Director-General and Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan noted that “progress is already underway” for the people of Negros and Siquijor Islands. This development aims to enhance regional growth and collaboration.
Reliable power is essential to support and nurture the ongoing growth in Central Negros. Recently, consumer advocacy group Power Watch has praised Negros Power for its crucial contribution to the economic advancement of the NIR.
Power Watch Secretary-General Wennie Sancho emphasized that NEPC’s steady power supply has allowed businesses to run without interruptions, enhancing operational efficiency and increasing productivity.
Sources:
https://digicastnegros.com/negros-power-bolsters-power-grid-with-massive-two-day-rehabilitation
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