Mayor Albee Benitez On Negros Power: Addressing Bacolod’s Power Crisis
Bacolod City is facing a significant power crisis, with seven out of eleven substations in critical condition. Mayor Albee Benitez has been vocal about the urgency of addressing this issue, emphasizing the need for immediate action to prevent further disruptions. The situation has become dire, and the Mayor’s proactive approach is a crucial step toward securing a stable power supply for the city.
Substations in Critical Condition
The city’s aging infrastructure is at the heart of the power crisis. Seven substations are all over 25 years old, and their condition has deteriorated to the point where they can no longer be relied upon. This has resulted in frequent outages, leaving thousands of Bacolod residents without power. The most recent incident at the Alijis substation, where a power transformer suffered a massive leak, highlighted the severity of the problem. Negros Power, the new proponent tasked with resolving this crisis, had to resort to emergency measures like power tapping, manual load dropping, and even borrowing a mobile substation from Iloilo to restore power.
Mayor Albee’s Call for Modernization
Mayor Albee Benitez recognizes that these issues stem from outdated equipment that can no longer meet the city’s demands. He has been a staunch advocate for the modernization of Bacolod’s power grid, and his support for Negros Power is rooted in their commitment to upgrading the city’s infrastructure. Benitez has emphasized the necessity of replacing the aging substations and other critical components, stating, “Hindi na ni ya mapuslan at a certain point. So, very imperative kinahanglan ta nga islan na gid sang bag-o and that is exactly what they tend to do.”
Negros Power’s five-year rehabilitation plan, which includes a Php 2.5 billion investment, aims to replace not only the substations but also the old electrical wiring that poses a significant risk of failure. Mayor Benitez is optimistic about this plan, noting that it will prevent overloading and reduce the likelihood of power outages.
The Path Forward
The rehabilitation plan is more than just a solution to the current crisis; it is an investment in Bacolod’s future. Mayor Benitez has a vision of transforming Bacolod into a “Super City,” and a reliable power supply is a fundamental part of this vision. By modernizing the city’s power infrastructure, Bacolod can attract more investors, boost economic growth, and improve the quality of life for its residents.
Negros Power’s willingness to step in and assist, even before receiving its Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) from the Energy Regulatory Commission, demonstrates their commitment to the city. With the new equipment and infrastructure, Bacolod can look forward to a more stable and reliable power supply in the coming years.
In conclusion, while the power crisis in Bacolod is far from over, the efforts led by Mayor Albee Benitez and Negros Power offer a promising path forward. The modernization of the city’s power grid is not just a necessary response to an immediate problem but a crucial investment in Bacolod’s future.
