By ERWIN ‘AMBO’ DELILAN
ON NOVEMBER 13, the Enrique K. Razon-led Negros Electric and Power Corporation (Negros Power) broke ground for its remarkable project – Underground Distribution System Project (UDSP).
UDSP, the very first in Bacolod and Negros Occidental communities, is worth P79 million.
This unique and milestone endeavor on the part of neophyte Negros Power will stretch six kilometers along the city’s main thoroughfare – Lacson street.
For the first phase, according to Negros Power president and chief executive officer Roel Castro, it will only be one kilometer, and the work timeframe is 10 months, then, so on and so forth until the six-kilometer target is completed.
Castro added the amount earmarked for the UDSP is part of the P2-billion capital expenditures that Negros Power is pouring in upon its official assumption as the new power distributor in Bacolod and the nearby localities of Silay, Talisay, Bago, Murcia, and Don Salvador Benedicto.
Negros Power, FYI, already secured a certificate of public convenience and necessity (CPCP) from the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC). Kudos, hence!
‘FOR SAFETY’
Allow me to dissect this UDSP.
Above all, it is for safety purposes – away from wildlife, from humans, from trees, from flying objects – so layo sa aksidente.
But my personal research also revealed that underground cabling is for durability, too, because it minimizes damage during natural calamities, especially typhoons.
Maintenance-wise, underground cabling is less in repairs, thus low maintenance.
But one thing beautiful about this UDSP is that it’s a system loss-buster.
And this is probably the very reason why the Razon Group of Companies is investing in UDSP for long-term convenience and benefits of consumers. Because the lower the system loss, the lower bill we pay.
SERIOUSNESS
But one thing obvious about this UDSP is the seriousness on the part of Negros Power to really bring out the best services for Negrosanons and Bacolodnons.
True to its mantra “beyond power”, UDSP is one of the maiden yet major steps that Negros Power wants to be known in terms of commitments to level up power distribution services in Bacolod and the central part of Negros Occidental.
Rewind: Negros Power’s entry in Bacolod via a much-talked joint venture agreement (JVA) was indeed bumpy and winding . Weathering lots of “storms”, including nasty public perception, was a hurdle.
Until now, to be candid, there is still a huge percentage of CENECO consumers doubt as to the capacity of Negros Power.
PROOF
Aside from seriousness, Negros Power with Castro being on top of everything is also beyond committed to show proof that the company is not pipityugin.
So, five years from now, expect many astonishing things from Negros Power that will surely expand your eyeballs and will force you to exclaim “Oh, wow!”
For now, Negros Power seems to be suffering from birth, or post-natal pains. Quite normal. But for as long as its many commitments will be coupled with sincerity and honesty, no doubt that its promise to offer the best for Negros and Bacolod would be achieved,
ACTION SPEAKS LOUDER
Anyways, long story short: Thanks Negros Power.
Why? Because Castro is really a man full of surprises.
He never did promise “sun, moon and stars”. Rather, he only talks or discusses attainable things.
In short, he is a good planner, and an effective implementer, thus credible and highly-respected./PN
