Razon-led Negros Electric and Power Corp. (Negros Power) reported significant improvements in infrastructure, service reliability and consumer engagement over the weekend, signaling a transformative era for local power consumers nine months after assuming electric distribution operations in Central Negros.
In a recent meeting with consumer and business leaders, Negros Power president and chief executive Roel Castro presented a comprehensive report detailing the company’s key achievements since starting operations in August 2024.
“From day one, our goal has been to modernize the system, restore public confidence and extend reliable, responsive electric service to all. The progress we’ve made is just the beginning of a broader transformation,” Castro said.
Negros Power completed the rehabilitation of the Alijis Substation, which is now equipped with new and uprated power transformers. Additional improvements were carried out in other substations to enhance system capacity and resilience.
The company also successfully rehabilitated the entire 30-kilometer Bacolod–Silay 69kV subtransmission line, replacing aging poles and installing new pin insulators.
A massive vegetation clearing initiative complemented this effort, reducing the risks of outages and improving system reliability.
To further improve service continuity, Negros Power installed automatic circuit reclosers, load break and disconnect switches, replaced bare wires with insulated lines, and added rubber inserts to minimize animal intrusions. This resulted in a significant reduction in the frequency and duration of power interruptions.
Energy-efficient distribution transformers were also strategically installed and uprated across the franchise area, helping manage load more effectively while improving power quality for consumers.
The company also intensified efforts to reduce system loss by initiating strict anti-electricity pilferage campaigns, ensuring accountability and protecting legitimate consumers from losses due to illegal connections.
Negros Power also replaced thousands of defective and outdated electric meters with new, digital models — at no additional cost to consumers.
To further improve convenience, the company activated more than 100 new payment centers, dramatically increasing accessibility for bill payments. The application process for new connections was streamlined, with the utility now actively assisting applicants with permit processing at the Office of the Building Official (OBO).
Negros Power established a 24/7 customer service team accessible through dedicated helplines and Facebook Messenger, while maintaining consistent advisories and real-time service updates through social media platforms.
One of the most impactful initiatives is the Sitio Electrification Program, which has already begun energizing remote and previously unserved communities. This effort involves installing new poles, transformers and meters, providing reliable power access to areas that had long been in the dark.
“No one should be left in the dark. The Sitio Electrification Program is about progress and inclusion. We did it in 17 sitios and invested nearly 26 million pesos, benefiting 1,671 households,” Castro said.
Negros Power is also laying the groundwork for its modernization roadmap. The utility has started implementing advanced technologies such as a centralized control center, Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems, drones for aerial surveys and thermal scanning, and a Geographic Information System (GIS) for asset mapping. Real-time monitoring of response times has also been activated to improve emergency handling and maintenance work.
The Underground Distribution System project in Lacson Street is underway and expected to be completed before Bacolod’s Masskara Festival in October.
Despite the wave of infrastructure investments, Negros Power said it maintained the lowest average rates in the region. This was achieved through strategic power supply contracting and diligent monitoring of spot market prices to secure the most competitive generation mix.
