ILOILO City – In a bid to offer more efficient, reliable and affordable power services to consumers in Negros Occidental, House Bill 9310 has been filed in the 19th Congress.
This bill seeks to grant a franchise to the Negros Electric and Power Corp. (NEPC), enabling it to establish and operate a distribution system for delivering electric power to end-users in the cities of Bacolod, Silay, Talisay, and Bago, as well as in the municipalities of Murcia and Don Salvador Benedicto — all situated in the province of Negros Occidental.
Representatives Francisco Benitez (3rd District, Negros Occidental), Joseph Stephen Paduano (Abang-Lingkod party-list), and Juliet Marie Ferrer (4th District, Negros Occidental) introduced this bill to the 19th Congress on Sept. 25.
Currently, the electrical distribution in the mentioned areas is managed by Central Negros Electric Cooperative Inc. (CENECO), whose service quality has faced criticism, with complaints ranging from power outages and voltage fluctuations to poor maintenance, inadequate infrastructure investment, service delays, overbilling, and unsatisfactory customer relations.
The House Bill’s explanatory note emphasizes the significance of this proposed measure, noting, “Bacolod and its adjacent cities and municipalities are among the most progressive regions in the Philippines and their growth is being hindered by the poor service of CENECO. Understandably, CENECO is subject to certain limitations being an electric cooperative. It is reliant on funding from limited resources from the government. It lacks access to modern technology and does not have the entrepreneurial drive to address managerial, operational and service problems.”
It warned that unless the steadily increasing power demand is fully addressed “by a reliable, reasonable and efficient power distribution, the economic growth in the region will be delayed and hindered.”
NEPC, a sister company of MORE Electric and Power Corporation (which serves Iloilo City), was created to cater to the electric power needs of consumers, businesses, and institutions within CENECO’s franchise area. Both NEPC and MORE share the same management and technical teams.
Emphasizing the bill’s significance, Mayor Albee Benitez of Bacolod City said it was essential to address the residents’ long-standing concerns — chiefly, the high electricity costs in Negros. He expressed hope that NEPC could reduce these costs.
During a tour of MORE Power’s facilities in Iloilo City yesterday, Benitez said, “Our goal with this (NEPC) franchise is to ensure more affordable power, reduce outages, provide new infrastructure, and most importantly, stimulate economic growth through a consistent power supply.”
He checked MORE Power’s facilities because he wanted to see the actual situation on the ground, especially how MORE Power operates. He also wanted to learn directly from MORE Power president and chief executive officer Roel Z. Castro about NEPC’s plans for Negros Occidental if the franchise is approved.
Benitez was particularly impressed by MORE Power’s investments in ensuring enhanced services for Iloilo City residents.
“The improvements in the substations, the technology applied, the protection and redundancy systems they implement to ensure minimal power interruptions are significant for us in Negros because for a long time CENECO hasn’t invested in infrastructures and everyone can feel it,” said Benitez.
Expressing optimism, Benitez hopes that the franchise committee will discuss House Bill 9310 once Congress resumes in November.
By the first quarter of 2024, he anticipates its passage in the House of Representatives. He believes that his insights from the visit to MORE Power will support the bill’s defense.
Benitez further elaborated on the potential benefits of NEPC, saying, “Upon finalization, I am hopeful that we can promptly improve services in Negros, bringing an end to the residents’ prolonged discomfort. Enhanced power services are crucial for economic development, and we expect to witness a surge in the region’s economic growth.”
He also highlighted potential economic advancements in Negros Occidental once NEPC begins operations. These include the growth of business process outsourcing and digital services, leading to more employment opportunities and increased income.
Benitez expressed gratitude to both MORE Power and NEPC for their commitment to expanding power operations in Negros Occidental.
CASTRO OPTIMISTIC ABOUT FRANCHISE APPROVAL
NEPC’s Castro is optimistic and holds high hopes for the approval of NEPC’s franchise, which would enable them to operate and provide power services to areas under CENECO’s jurisdiction.
He bases his optimism on MORE Power’s past experiences while seeking a franchise in Iloilo City and the province of Iloilo.
Castro believes that if they have successfully delivered quality services to Iloilo City’s residents without any prior experience, they can certainly do the same now with the trust and reputation they’ve established.
“In the beginning, it was a leap of faith; all talk. Now, however, our track record speaks for itself. We’ve shown what we’re capable of here, and we believe this success can be replicated for the benefit of consumers in Central Negros,” Castro shared with the media.
Why is NEPC’s operation in Negros Occidental important?
Castro mentioned that the drive behind NEPC mirrors the motivation they had during MORE Power’s application process. If MORE Power could elevate the service quality for Ilonggos, there’s no reason they couldn’t extend similar benefits to Central Negros, he stressed.
“If we achieved it here, why not there? This same sentiment prompted my proposal for a joint venture in Central Negros. If we’ve managed to enhance services here, meeting the consumers’ needs, I thought it logical to share our expertise with other regions,” he said, noting CENECO’s receptiveness to the idea.
Considering CENECO’s admitted financial constraints, inability to invest in necessary infrastructure, and other challenges, Castro saw an opportunity for NEPC to step in. Their primary goal is to meet the electricity and energy demands of the area.
“Our main focus is the consumers,” Castro emphasized.
Castro personally guided Benitez through a tour of the substations and various offices of MORE Power to showcase the operations. They were joined by Cong. Kiko Benitez of Negros Occidental’s 3rd District who is one of the authors of House Bill 9310 granting a franchise to NEPC and Cong. Michael Gorriceta of Iloilo’s 2nd District who is one of the sponsors of House Bill No. 10306 – the bill that proposes to expand MORE Power’s franchise – known for its cost-effective electricity – to the 2nd and 4th districts of Iloilo province.
Gorriceta expressed his admiration for MORE Power’s state-of-the-art substations and other facilities.
“I’m genuinely impressed. The scale and magnitude of their investment is evident, and the ongoing rehabilitation of various substations demonstrates their commitment to modernization,” Gorriceta told Panay News.
Throughout the tour, MORE Power’s technical personnel elucidated the workings of their state-of-the-art facilities to Gorriceta and Benitez.
They detailed operational procedures during disruptions and highlighted systems that ensure customer satisfaction and efficient service.
Gorriceta remains hopeful that the superior services Ilonggos have come to appreciate from MORE Power will be accessible to the consumers of Negros Occidental once NEPC begins its operations.
He looks forward to benefits like competitive electricity rates, reduced power outages, and modern infrastructure./PN
