BACOLOD City – The P2.1 billion investment being targeted by the Negros Electric Power Corporation for the capital expenditures of its operations, are aimed at putting up cutting-edge and top-of-the-line systems to promote quality service to member consumers of Central Negros Electric Cooperative.
This was stressed by NEPC president Roel Castro during the recent board meeting of National Electrification Administration, presided by Administrator Antonio Almeda, also attended by CENECO acting general manager Atty. Arnel Lapore.
NEPC, sister company of MORE Power, and CENECO presented before the NEA board the Joint Venture Agreement which was approved by distribution facility member consumers, including the agreement’s implications, which is to strengthen its service to the consumers.
“This venture seeks to magnify the electric industry in Central Negros by not just streamlining the internal and external operations of concerned parties but also rehabilitating and modernizing the distribution system, which is deemed crucial in providing quality service to our consumers,” Castro said during the hearing.
Castro highlighted that along with rehabilitating the distribution system, the P2.1 billion investment will aid in reducing the system’s losses and improve reliability.
“We need to rehabilitate the system because if you don’t put in the additional P2 billion investment or even bigger, you will be inheriting a distribution system that is just the same as now that is inefficient. That’s why we have to put (the investment) in P2.1 billion to start rehabilitating and improving the system,” he declared.
Castro also emphasized during the hearing the NEPC’s commitment to achieve the 100 percent total electrification target in the franchise area by 2028 “in alignment” with the present administration’s agenda of achieving sustainable and inclusive economic growth.
“On behalf of NEPC, we have our commitment to continue, and we will achieve the 100 percent target in alignment with the government’s direction,” he noted.
“It will now be fully funded by NEPC, and thus, we are shifting the burden of electrification from the government to the private sector,” Castro added.
By establishing connections between sitios and the electricity grid, the Sitio Electrification Program intends to achieve its goal of energizing communities through on-grid electrification, he further said.
To efficiently execute these programs, the NEPC also vowed to work closely with the NEA along with other agencies involved in the hearing to substantiate the NEA’s goal for the nation.
On the other hand, Lapore supported the critical role the JVA plays in the area, adding that it “strongly” supports the NEA’s goal to achieve efficient service for all consumers. “I’m one with NEA in facilitating the service for the benefit of our consumers.”
That’s why I strongly support and cooperate through this JVA to ensure we deliver quality operations internally and externally, he also said.
On October 4, the NEA convened to assess the JVA between Primelectric/NEPC and CENECO.
During the meeting, the NEA board not only scrutinized the CENECO’s donated capital and viability, but also wants to address the concerns of the oppositors to improve the JVA of the involved parties.
“I hope we can address the concerns of the oppositors. We must also consider them. Regarding the participation of the Member-Consumer-Owners, it has been concluded during the plebiscite so we will put this into motion with all the required legal objectivity,” Almeda emphasized. (Gilbert Bayoran via TVDS photo by TVDS)
