ON APRIL 4, Negros Power Corporation (Negros Power) and the city government of Silay, northern Negros Occidental, signed a landmark Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to provide safe, legal, and reliable electricity to more than 5,000 informal settler households.
This MOA is a significant breakthrough for the squatter communities of Silay. Both parties — Negros Power and the Silay City government — will play key roles in uplifting lives, especially in urban poor areas often seen as “nests of hopelessness.”
Targeting squatter communities as a first step in its mission to empower neighborhoods is a noble act from Negros Power, under the leadership of Enrique Razon Jr. For his part, Silay Mayor Joedith Gallego serves as a vital catalyst in this effort — not only to improve lives in slum areas but also to ensure the safety of residents often labeled as informal settlers.
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Toward a Dignified, Sustainable Future
For Negros Power President and CEO Roel Castro, the newly inked pact goes beyond electrification. It’s about “enabling dreams, improving safety, and unlocking economic and educational opportunities for thousands of squatter families.”
“It’s beyond powering houses,” Castro emphasized.
Mayor Gallego echoed this sentiment, calling the agreement “a testament to our shared goal of building a more secure, dignified, and sustainable future for all Silaynons.”
Following the signing, the next steps are clearly defined:
Negros Power will identify qualified informal settler beneficiaries and submit the list to the City Engineer’s Office and/or the Office of the Building Official (OBO). The Silay City government, in turn, will assist in validating and processing the required documents to expedite legal power connections.
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The Risk and the Reality
Let’s be honest: across the country, squatter areas have long posed challenges to power distribution utilities.
Why?
Because illegal connections and electricity pilferage are rampant in these communities. Informal settlers risk their homes — and lives — due to the unsafe, makeshift wiring often used in these illegal setups. These connections frequently cause fires, putting entire neighborhoods in danger.
For utility companies like Negros Power, these practices result in serious system losses and financial setbacks.
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Operational Headaches
Beyond revenue loss, illegal power tapping damages infrastructure and causes frequent outages. Electrical experts warn that such unauthorized connections can overload the distribution system, leading to accidents and blackouts.
Compounding the problem is the physical layout of slum areas, which often have limited access points. This makes it difficult for power utilities to repair faults, install new equipment, or maintain a reliable service network.
These added operational challenges often translate to higher power rates — prompting consumers to cry, “Aguy!”
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Legal and Social Complications
Studies have shown that poverty-driven crimes are prevalent in slum communities, further complicating matters for power companies.
Another issue? Many informal settlers lack legal ownership of the land they occupy. This makes it difficult for utilities to enter the property for inspection, maintenance, or upgrades — even if electricity is already being used there.
These recurring social and legal hurdles continuously dog the power distribution business across the Philippines.
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Right Step, Right Leadership
The MOA with Silay City — focused on electrifying informal settler areas — is a timely and strategic move by Negros Power.
And in Mayor Joedith Gallego, the initiative has found the right leader to carry the ball forward. His proactive stance makes the ambitious goal of powering up squatter communities both realistic and within reach.
Just imagine: over 5,000 informal settler households stand to be “empowered” through this electrification program — a solution that addresses not only technical problems but also the deep-rooted social and legal issues associated with urban poverty.
Kudos to Negros Power and the Silay City government for this bold and visionary move.
Indeed, may the light always shine bright in Silay./PN
