By Dolly Yasa
BACOLOD CITY – A business leader and top local officials praised Negros Electric and Power Corporation (NEPC) for initiating the first kilometer of a six-kilometer underground power distribution system along Lacson Street, a major Bacolod thoroughfare.
Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez and NEPC President and CEO Roel Castro led the groundbreaking ceremony for the project on Wednesday at Capitol Lagoon, Bacolod City.
They were joined by Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry Executive Officer Frank Carbon, Central Negros Electric Cooperative Board President Dwight Carbon, Bacolod Representative Greg Gasataya, Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer, and Councilors Celia Flor, Thaddeus Sayson, Em Ang, Kalaw Puentevella, Vladi Gonzales, and Jason Villarosa, along with NEPC Chief Operations Officer Engr. Bernard Bailey del Castillo.
The project launch occurred three days after NEPC received its Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) from the Energy Regulatory Commission, officially taking over as the distribution utility for central Negros on Nov. 11, 2024.
Carbon highlighted the importance of reliable power for attracting investors, noting that an underground distribution system (UDS) helps reduce disruptions caused by natural calamities, thereby enhancing business viability and profitability.
He added that the business community values “power security,” which he defined as reliability and reasonable costs.
“The efforts and spending of NEPC point to power security, which is highly commendable from the private sector,” Carbon said, adding that private utility efforts complement the provincial government’s initiatives toward sustainable energy in Negros.
Bacolod Rep. Greg Gasataya thanked NEPC for launching Bacolod’s first underground distribution project, which he said would benefit residents and enhance the city’s infrastructure.
Acting Governor Jeffrey Ferrer described the project as a solution to Bacolod’s “spaghetti wires” problem and lauded NEPC’s commitment to development since its Joint Venture Agreement.
Mayor Benitez recalled that one of his first goals upon taking office was to address the city’s tangled overhead wires. He noted that an underground solution was proposed early on, and he thanked NEPC for its prompt action in launching the project.
“This project will go a long way in transforming our city,” Benitez said.
Castro explained that NEPC’s underground distribution system will initially cover one kilometer of the six-kilometer stretch on Lacson Street. He emphasized that going underground improves safety by reducing exposure to foreign objects and enhancing reliability for consumers.
Part of NEPC’s PHP 2 billion rehabilitation plan, the initial phase of the project will cost PHP 79 million. Castro said the project bidding will begin next month, with completion aimed before the MassKara Festival next year.
The underground system is expected to extend across the entire six-kilometer stretch of Lacson Street.
