By Dolly Yasa
BACOLOD CITY – Power Watch Negros Secretary-General Wennie Sancho urged the integration of power services in the Negros Island Region (NIR).
In a statement to the Daily Guardian on Tuesday, Sancho said the proposal aligns with Section 31 of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) or Republic Act 9136, which encourages the consolidation of electric cooperatives to enhance efficiency and reduce costs.
Sancho noted that the initiative also follows National Electrification Administration Memorandum Circular 2019-045, which provides guidelines for the consolidation or merger of electric cooperatives and private distribution utilities.
The plan proposes the integration of Negros Power, Northern Negros Electric Cooperative (Noneco), and Negros Occidental Electric Cooperative (Noceco) to deliver unified, efficient, and sustainable services for Negros Island Region consumers.
Sancho said the integration could take the form of a merger, consolidation, or joint venture.
He added that a concept paper for the Negros Island Region-Integrated Power System (NIR-IPS) has been drafted in consultation with stakeholders from the power industry.
“This proposal is an initiative of the electricity consumers,” Sancho said.
With the theme “Powering Negros Together,” the plan is expected to deliver significant benefits to consumers, including lower electricity rates. Economies of scale could help reduce power costs, while consolidated operations and optimized resource allocation would enhance efficiency.
Sancho emphasized that power integration would accelerate the adoption of renewable energy.
However, he stressed that effective collaboration among stakeholders—including transmission and distribution utilities, system operators, regulators, and policymakers—is essential to the project’s success.
He highlighted the growing demand for reliable and renewable energy, saying that integration could optimize resources, reduce costs, and improve services.
Power Watch Negros plans to engage Negros Power, Noceco, Noneco, and relevant regulatory bodies in discussions, consultations, and forums to advance the consolidation and integration initiatives, Sancho said.
