BACOLOD CITY — Nine months after assuming the electric distribution operations in Central Negros, Negros Electric and Power Corp. (Negros Power) reported sweeping improvements in infrastructure, service reliability and consumer engagement, signaling a transformative era for local power consumers.
In a recent meeting with consumer and business leaders, Negros Power president and CEO Roel Castro presented a comprehensive report detailing the company's key achievements since starting operations in August 2024.
"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.
Castro said that 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 upgraded power transformers.
Additional improvements were also carried out in other substations to enhance system capacity and resilience.
The company also successfully rehabilitated the entire 30-kilometer Bacolod-Silay 69-kV 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.
Castro said that 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.
Energy-efficient distribution transformers were strategically installed and uprated across the franchise area, helping manage load more effectively while improving power quality for consumers.
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.
Castro noted that Negros Power replaced thousands of defective and outdated electric meters with new, digital models — at no additional cost to consumers.
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.
One of the most impactful initiatives is the Sitio Electrification Program, which has already begun energizing remote and previously unserved communities.
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.
Frank Carbon, co-chairman of the energy and power committee of PCCI for Visayas and former president of the Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said direction Negros Power is taking is exactly what Bacolod and the rest of Central Negros needed.
"Stable and modern power is essential to economic growth," Carbon said.