By Dolly Yasa
BACOLOD CITY – Negros Power is fully prepared to ensure a reliable power supply throughout the upcoming National and Local Elections on May 12, 2025, through its comprehensive contingency plan dubbed “Oplan Halalan 2025.”
The initiative highlights the company’s commitment to supporting the democratic process by guaranteeing a stable power grid before, during, and after election day.
Negros Power’s franchise covers key areas of Negros Occidental, including Bacolod City, Talisay City, Silay City, Bago City, Murcia and Don Salvador Benedicto.
The Oplan Halalan 2025 plan encompasses 159 participating schools, seven canvassing centers and one Commission on Elections (Comelec) tech hub, supported by a total substation capacity of 281 MVA, 11 substations, 13 power transformers and 47 feeder lines.
Pre-Election Readiness:
Negros Power has completed key infrastructure upgrades and preventive maintenance activities to ensure system readiness.
These include:
- Bacolod-Silay 69kV Line Rehabilitation– to secure reliability of this critical transmission line.
● Alijis Transformer 2 Energization – an added 18 MVA capacity to improve power distribution.
● Substation Readiness – full energization and operational status of all substations.
● Hotspot Inspections and Transformer Maintenance – to identify and address potential issues and prevent outages.
● Activation of Satellite Warehouses – for immediate access to materials and equipment for emergency response.
● Standby Generator Units – three generators are being readied for backup power in case of outages.
Power loads for feeders and transformers are being maintained below 70% capacity to prevent overloading during election day.
During Election Operations:
Negros Power has activated a dedicated Oplan Halalan 2025 Command Center to monitor the grid 24/7 and respond promptly to incidents.
- Field Crews:37 crews will be strategically deployed across the franchise area for immediate response.
● Roving Teams: 20 standby teams will provide additional support and troubleshoot on demand.
The Command Center will coordinate closely with the Department of Energy (DOE) and Comelec to ensure real-time communication and a unified response.
Post-Election Commitment:
After the elections, Negros Power will conduct a full performance review to assess the effectiveness of its response and identify areas for future improvement.
- Standby Teams:Personnel and equipment will remain on standby for two additional days for any remaining election-related support.
● Clean-Up Drives: Teams will participate in removing election paraphernalia from poles, trees and designated poster areas.
Chief Operations Officer Engr. Bernard Bailey Del Castillo emphasized the company’s level of preparedness.
“Negros Power is fully prepared for the upcoming National and Local Elections with a robust contingency plan in place,” Del Castillo said.
“Our command center is now operational and equipped to oversee all field operations.”
“Preventive maintenance across all polling places and canvassing centers has been completed to ensure optimal system performance.”
“Hotspot corrections within school internal systems have been addressed, and distribution transformers and service drop wires have been uprated to enhance reliability.”
“We will address any issues near the precincts.”
“Technical and community relations teams will conduct roving support around schools and marshal activities to respond to both technical and community concerns.”
“Operations will run in two shifts, starting at 5 a.m. and continuing until ballot counting concludes.”
Del Castillo also announced that a dry run will be held on May 10 to simulate procedures and validate communication protocols.
The simulation will use a real-time reporting app to monitor field reports, response actions and system performance from the command center dashboard.
“This comprehensive preparedness plan underscores Negros Power’s commitment to ensuring a smooth electoral process for all stakeholders,” he added.
