Addressing Power Outages: The Push For NEPC Franchise Approval
Ensuring Reliable and Sustainable Energy for Bacolod City and Central Negros
Power outages can disrupt daily life, hinder economic growth, and pose challenges to communities. In response to the recurring problem of brownouts in Bacolod City, Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez and Senator Grace Poe are urging the Senate to expedite the granting of a franchise to the Negros Electric Power Corporation (NEPC).
Delving into the details of this pressing issue, this blog post explores the efforts of Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez and Senator Grace Poe to address the problem of power outages, highlighting the importance of providing reliable and sustainable energy to power consumers, and examines how NEPC’s intervention could transform the power landscape in Negros Occidental.
Extreme heat and the increasing heat index have exacerbated the problem of multiple brownouts in Bacolod City. Mayor Benitez’s appeal to the Senate emphasizes the need for immediate action to curb these power interruptions and ensure uninterrupted power supply to the residents.
The sponsorship of the Negros Power franchise reflects Senator Grace Poe’s commitment to ensuring reliable and sustainable energy for power consumers in Negros Occidental.
During the Senate plenary session, Senator Grace Poe, as the Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Public Services, sponsored three local bills seeking the grant of legislative franchises to power distribution utilities in Negros Occidental, Leyte, and Romblon. She emphasized the importance of addressing the challenges faced by power consumers, especially in the midst of widespread and frequent brownouts across the country.
House Bill No. 9805, a response to public demand for improved power services in Negros Occidental, aims to grant a franchise to NEPC. This franchise would be the result of a joint venture agreement (JVA) between Primelectric, the parent company of Iloilo’s MORE Power, and Central Negros Electric Cooperative (CENECO). The partnership aims to modernize the distribution system and improve power service in Bacolod City, Bago, Talisay, Silay, Don Salvador Benedicto, and Murcia.
CENECO’s financial standing has hindered its ability to rehabilitate and upgrade its facilities. The National Electrification Administration (NEA) has reported CENECO’s negative profit margin, delayed debt payments, and poor performance in various aspects. In light of these difficulties, NEPC has expressed its readiness to invest capital in modernizing the distribution system and addressing operational challenges. This investment is expected to benefit not only the franchise area but also the power sector and the Philippine economy as a whole.
Bacolod Mayor Albee Benitez appeals to the Senate to pass the NEPC franchise, emphasizing the need for better equipment and facilities in the electric distribution system.
Mayor Benitez emphasizes the need to upgrade aging facilities and wires to more heat-resistant ones as part of the solution to reduce brownouts in Bacolod City. The JVA anticipates a significant capital expenditure (CapEx) to address the power distribution problems of CENECO. By allowing NEPC to take over the power distribution services, the franchise will inject approximately P2 billion for modernization efforts.
The efforts of Senator Grace Poe and Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez to secure the approval of the NEPC franchise highlight the urgency of addressing power outages in Bacolod City. By investing in modernizing the distribution system and upgrading facilities, NEPC aims to provide reliable and sustainable energy to power consumers. The approval of the franchise would not only benefit the franchise area but also contribute to the overall development of the power sector and the Philippine economy. It is crucial for the Senate to prioritize these measures to ensure uninterrupted power supply and improve the quality of life for residents.
