Since August 1, 2024, Negros Electric and Power Corporation (Negros Power) has been working to rehabilitate and modernize the aging power infrastructure in Bacolod City and Central Negros. With its franchise granted on July 26, 2024, through Republic Act No. 12011, and its Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) issued on October 16, 2024, the company officially took over operations from CENECO and immediately began implementing a five-year rehabilitation plan.
The past six months have been a critical transition period for Negros Power. However, consumer opinions remain divided. While some recognize the improvements, others feel that problems like frequent power interruptions and unresponsive customer service remain unresolved.
Is Negros Power on the right track, or is it still falling short of expectations? Here’s a closer look at what has been done, the challenges faced, and what consumers can expect moving forward.
Why Are There So Many Scheduled Power Interruptions?
One of the most common complaints among consumers is the frequency of scheduled power outages. However, these maintenance works are necessary to rehabilitate a power grid that has suffered from years of neglect.
Negros Power inherited an outdated and deteriorating system that required immediate attention. Without urgent repairs and upgrades, the risk of major system failures and prolonged unscheduled blackouts would increase.
Negros Power Announces Maintenance in Advance
To minimize disruption, Negros Power announces scheduled maintenance work ahead of time and repeats the reminders until the day before the outage. This allows consumers to prepare in advance.
To stay informed, consumers are encouraged to:
- Check the official Negros Power Facebook page regularly for announcements.
- Prepare for scheduled outages by charging devices and storing water if needed.
- Adjust schedules around the maintenance work to avoid inconvenience.
Planned outages are temporary, but the long-term goal is a stable and more reliable power supply.
Why Does Maintenance Work Happen Before Sunrise?
Consumers have raised concerns about maintenance work being scheduled during the early morning hours, as it disrupts sleep. Others ask why it can’t be done during the day instead.
Why Maintenance Is Not Scheduled During the Day
- Businesses, offices, and industries would suffer financial losses.
- Schools and online classes would be interrupted.
- Government services and transactions would be affected.
Why Maintenance Is Done at Night or Early Morning
- Fewer people rely on electricity during these hours, making it the least disruptive time.
- Power is restored before peak hours, ensuring minimal impact on daily activities.
While early morning maintenance is not ideal for everyone, it causes the least disruption to the majority of consumers.
Why Are There Frequent Power Flickers?
Another common complaint is the frequent momentary power interruptions or flickers. These are often caused by Automatic Circuit Reclosers (ACRs)—devices installed to prevent prolonged outages.
What Do ACRs Do?
- Automatically restore power if the system detects a minor issue, such as a tree branch momentarily touching a power line.
- Prevent full blackouts, ensuring quicker restoration times.
- Reduce the need for manual intervention, making power restoration more efficient.
If power flickers once, it means the system successfully restored electricity. If it happens multiple times and does not return, it indicates a serious issue that requires manual repairs.
When No Manual Intervention Is Needed
Because of ACRs power is restored automatically without the need for linemen to manually fix the faults. Then linemen and technicians are free to respond to areas where manual repairs are actually needed. This allows Negros Power to deploy its workforce more efficiently, ensuring that areas requiring urgent attention get assistance faster.
While improvements are ongoing, Negros Power is working towards faster and more efficient power restoration across its service areas.
While flickers can be frustrating, they help avoid long power outages and make the power grid more reliable in the long run.
Why Does Power Restoration Still Take Time?
Some consumers feel that power restoration after outages is still too slow. However, the restoration time depends on several factors:
- Extent of the damage – A completely downed power line takes longer to fix than a minor fault.
- Location of the issue – Some lines are in remote areas, making them difficult to access.
- Ongoing infrastructure upgrades – As Negros Power continues replacing outdated equipment, some repairs require more time.
- Weather conditions – Restoration efforts are significantly delayed during heavy rains, strong winds, and typhoons due to safety concerns and hazardous working conditions.
The Challenge of Power Restoration During Typhoons
Severe weather conditions not only cause widespread outages but also limit the ability of linemen to work safely. During typhoons, Negros Power deploys all available personnel to respond to multiple affected areas at once. However, due to the scale of damage and the number of areas needing attention, manpower shortages may occur.
In such cases:
- Restoration efforts are prioritized based on the severity of damage and the number of affected consumers.
- Safety checks must be conducted first before restoring power to prevent electrical hazards.
- Repairs may take longer if roads are blocked, poles are downed, or substations are damaged.
Steps Taken to Improve Restoration Times
Negros Power has implemented several measures to reduce outage duration:
- Installation of Automatic Circuit Reclosers (ACRs) for faster power restoration.
- Upgrading of 69kV sub-transmission lines to strengthen power distribution.
- Rehabilitation of substations to prevent widespread failures.
- Relocation of key power lines from sugarcane fields to main roads for easier access.
While improvements are ongoing, Negros Power is working towards faster and more efficient power restoration.
Why Is It Difficult to Reach the Negros Power Helpline?
A major frustration among consumers is the difficulty in reaching the Negros Power hotline during outages.
Negros Power has acknowledged this issue and has taken steps to improve customer service:
- Increased the number of personnel handling Facebook Messenger inquiries.
- Encouraged consumers to report power issues via Messenger to help ease hotline congestion.
- Provided alternative contact points for different concerns.
For some, even if the hotline does not respond, seeing Negros Power post updates that they are addressing the issue provides assurance that the company is aware of the problem and working on a solution. What makes an unresponsive helpline frustrating is when consumers are left wondering whether their concern is even being addressed.
Best Way to Report a Power Issue
If calling the hotline is difficult, consumers should send a message via Facebook Messenger with the following details:
- Account Holder’s Name
- Contact Person’s Name (if different from the account holder)
- Account Number
- Location (including a landmark)
- Issue or reason for reporting
Providing complete details helps Negros Power sort reports faster and estimate the scope of an outage more efficiently.
Consumers Are Encouraged to Read Negros Power’s Announcements
Some consumers find technical terms in outage reports difficult to understand. However, Negros Power actively shares information through press releases and social media to help explain their work.
To stay informed and understand the reasons behind power interruptions, consumers are encouraged to read official updates from Negros Power.
Final Verdict: Has Negros Power Passed the Test?
Challenges That Need Improvement
- Frequent scheduled maintenance still frustrates consumers.
- Customer service response time needs further enhancement.
- Power restoration is improving but can still be faster.
Key Achievements in Six Months
- Major upgrades on substations and power lines.
- Installation of ACRs for quicker power restoration.
- Expansion of customer service channels to assist consumers better.
- Electrification of over 100 underserved households in off-grid sitios.
Negros Power has made significant progress in just six months, but there is still room for improvement.
The company remains committed to delivering better service and achieving a stable and efficient power distribution system.
The Road Ahead
Negros Power’s rehabilitation plan is projected to be completed in five years. While this may seem like a long wait, the improvements will lead to a stronger and more stable power system.
The next six months will be crucial in determining whether Negros Power can fully earn consumer trust. Patience and cooperation today will lead to a stronger and more reliable power system in the future.
For updates on scheduled maintenance and power issues, consumers should regularly check Negros Power’s Facebook page.
The challenges today will lead to a brighter, more stable electrical future for Negros.
