Negros Electric and Power Corporation (Negros Power), under Primelectric Holdings Inc., hosted the Private Electric Power Operators Association (PEPOA) Conference in Bacolod on September 10.
The conference was held at Citadines Bacolod. It brought together leaders and representatives from private distribution utilities and the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC).
The conference was part of ASCEND 2026. It carried the theme “Powering the Future Together: Advancing Smarter Energy Innovations for a Resilient System.”
Industry Leaders Discuss Power Sector Concerns
The gathering provided an avenue for industry stakeholders to discuss developments, regulatory concerns, and market operations. They also discussed power supply, reliability, and other issues affecting the Philippine electricity sector.
The conference also focused on concerns affecting the Visayas.
Among the ERC officials present were Chairperson Atty. Francis Saturnino Juan, Supervising Energy Regulation Officer Engr. Roland Albert Rivera, and Sharon Montaner of the Market Operations Service.
PEPOA President Atty. Ranulfo Ocampo also attended the conference. Representatives from various private distribution utilities were also present.
Representing Negros Power and Primelectric Holdings Inc. was President and CEO Roel Z. Castro. Company executives and representatives also attended.
ERC and Distribution Utilities Hold Open Dialogue
A major part of the conference was an open dialogue between the ERC and representatives of distribution utilities.
Participants had the opportunity to raise questions and clarify regulatory matters. They also shared concerns and experiences from their respective areas.
Ocampo stressed the importance of collaboration among distribution utilities, regulators, and other industry stakeholders in addressing challenges facing the power sector.
“The power industry is facing challenges that cannot be addressed by one sector alone,” Ocampo said, emphasizing the need for continued cooperation and the exchange of experiences toward practical solutions.
Castro, meanwhile, underscored the importance of innovation and resilience as the power sector prepares for increasing energy requirements.
“Powering the future requires us to think ahead, embrace smarter technologies, and continuously improve the way we deliver electricity to our communities,” Castro said.
He also pointed to the importance of reliable power infrastructure. It supports communities, businesses, and economic growth in the Visayas.
“For us in the Visayas, reliability and resilience are not simply industry goals. They directly affect our communities, businesses, and the continued growth of our region,” Castro added.
Building a More Reliable and Resilient Power System
The PEPOA Conference concluded with industry stakeholders reaffirming the importance of collaboration, innovation, and infrastructure development. They also reaffirmed the importance of stronger regulatory dialogue in building a more reliable and resilient power system.
For Negros Power, hosting the conference further strengthened its role in industry discussions and initiatives. These efforts aim to address the evolving energy needs of the Visayas and the country.
What other power sector issues do you think deserve more discussion among industry stakeholders?
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