By Dolly Yasa
BACOLOD CITY – Negros Power replaced several old utility poles in Catabla Zone 3, Talisay City, on Jan. 31, 2025, as part of its five-year rehabilitation and modernization plan.
The initiative aims to prevent unexpected and widespread power interruptions while improving the reliability of the electricity distribution system, the company stated on its official social media page.
As part of the same rehabilitation plan, Negros Power conducted line maintenance on the Bacolod-Silay 69kV subtransmission lines on Jan. 26, 2025.
Prior to this, the power utility also performed 13.2 kV line maintenance on Burgos Feeder 3, under the Burgos Substation.
Negros Power has begun installing tree wires, new pin insulators, and cross arms along Burgos Street in Bacolod City, under Burgos Feeder 3.
The line upgrade is part of the company’s long-term plan to enhance power distribution reliability and reduce power outages.
As an immediate solution, Negros Power is gradually replacing old and substandard porcelain insulators with more durable polymer insulators.
The replacements will primarily focus on the Bacolod-Silay 69-kilovolt (kV) subtransmission line, which is 44 years old.
This subtransmission line was originally inherited by the Central Negros Electric Cooperative (CENECO) from the National Transmission Corporation in 1980.
Negros Power spokesperson Engr. Leomel Tambanillo described the line as “extremely outdated.”
He explained that porcelain insulators have frequently caused unscheduled power interruptions due to their age and poor quality.
Tambanillo noted that since Negros Power began operations in August 2024, there have been at least 10 cases of insulator failures leading to power disruptions.
On Nov. 13, 2024, Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez and Negros Power President and CEO Roel Castro led the groundbreaking ceremony for an underground power distribution system at Capitol Lagoon in Bacolod City.
Castro said the project will initially cover one kilometer of the planned six-kilometer underground network along Lacson Street.
He emphasized that an underground power system enhances safety by reducing exposure to external elements and significantly improves power reliability for consumers.
