Negros Electric and Power Corporation (Negros Power) marked its first year as the official distribution utility (DU) for Central Negros since they took over CENECO in 2024. They service the power needs of the cities of Bacolod, Bago, Silay, Talisay, and the municipalities of Murcia and Don Salvador Benedicto. Despite the short time, they have shown notable achievements in system upgrades, customer service, and long-term planning that can now be felt by everyone.
NEPC’s Baptism of Fire on the First Year
Taking over a distribution utility as outdated and substandard as CENECO was no small task. Negros Power President and CEO Roel Castro admitted this, as the company inherited aging infrastructure, outdated systems, and a service area with growing energy demands. Before Negros Power could actually take over, the Alijis Substation imploded, affecting more than 30,000 households.
Moreover, many natural calamities hit the province, such as flash floods, strong typhoons, a tornado, and the eruption of Mt. Kanlaon.
Despite all the obstables, the company has rolled out several initiatives to stabilize supply, reduce outages, and modernize facilities in just one year. They have even successfully carried out their Sitio Electrification Program. Targets have been surpassed.
A Year of Transition and Progress
Here are some of them.
1. Preventive Maintenance Programs
One of the earliest initiatives was the implementation of regular preventive maintenance in substations and distribution lines. Hotspot fixing, vegetation clearing, and thermal scanning were prioritized to minimize unexpected breakdowns and ensure smoother electricity flow.
2. Swift Response to Emergencies
During typhoons and heavy rains, Negros Power deployed quick-response teams around the clock to restore electricity, manning their control center like an army. Negros Power introduced faster response systems for customer complaints and strengthened its digital channels, making it easier for consumers to report outages, request services, and stay updated. At the very least, they try to send a team within the hour to the problematic site.
Meanwhile, mobile generators were provided to essential services, including water utilities, which kept water supply running even during prolonged power interruptions.
3. Customer-Centered Service
Negros Power has set up contactless payment centers and 24-hour chat support. Even late payment receipts are accepted via messenger to prevent disconnection at uncomfortable hours.
Despite that, clients still prefer going to an office where they can talk to a real person. So Negros Power has set up a full-service office at The Row in Brgy. Mandalagan, Bacolod City. Consumers can sit comfortably in an air-conditioned room where snacks, coffee, water, and juices are served for free. They even set up charging stations for those who need to recharge their gadgets.
4. Five-Year Rehabilitation and Modernization Plan
Perhaps the most significant milestone is the launch of Negros Power’s 5-Year Development Plan, which details infrastructure investments to modernize the power distribution system. This includes:
- Substation rehabilitation and construction of new facilities.
- Redundancy design upgrades to replace the outdated radial system.
- Mobile substations for quick backup during emergencies or maintenance.
- Advanced monitoring systems for faster fault detection and resolution.
After a year, Mr. Castro is happy to report that they have surpassed all targets, despite all the challenges.
5. Community and Stakeholder Engagement
Negros Power has actively engaged with local government units, business groups, and consumers to promote transparency and gain feedback on its projects. By keeping stakeholders informed, the company has built trust and a clearer roadmap for improvements.
Why These Milestones Matter
For consumers, these changes mean more stable electricity, fewer outages, and faster recovery during unforeseen events. For businesses, it translates to less downtime, better productivity, and stronger investor confidence in Central Negros as an economic hub.
Looking Ahead
Negros Power’s first year was marked by groundwork—fixing existing problems and laying the foundation for future growth. With its modernization plan in motion, consumers can expect continued improvements in service reliability, customer experience, and infrastructure resilience.
Read: NEPC’s 5-Year Development Plan for Negros Occidental
As Negros Power celebrates its first year, its milestones highlight the importance of decisive action, forward planning, and community partnership in powering the progress of Central Negros.
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