Six Months of Service and Challenges

Table of Contents

Negros Power: Six Months of Service and Challenges – Pasado Na Ba?”

From August 1, 2024, to January 31, 2025, Negros Electric and Power Corporation (NEPC) has been navigating its first six months of operations in Bacolod City and other parts of Negros Occidental. As a resident of Bacolod City, I’ve been closely observing their progress, and I can’t help but reflect on their performance so far. If this were an employment probationary period, the question is: Pasado na ba sila para mag-regular?

The Challenges of Transition

Let’s not sugarcoat it—NEPC inherited a daunting task. Taking over from Central Negros Electric Cooperative (CENECO), they were handed an aging and deteriorating infrastructure. Many facilities were already on the brink of failure when NEPC began its operations. This has undoubtedly contributed to the brownouts and interruptions we’ve experienced in recent months. It’s frustrating as a consumer, but I also recognize that these problems didn’t appear overnight, and fixing them won’t happen overnight.

Linemen: The Unsung Heroes

What stands out to me the most is the tireless dedication of NEPC’s linemen. These men work day and night, often in hazardous conditions, to restore power whenever outages occur. Whether under heavy rain or in the dead of night, they’re out there climbing poles and repairing lines to ensure we have electricity. Their job is difficult, especially during planned interruptions in the early mornings or late at night. These schedules are more dangerous for workers due to poor visibility and increased risks, yet they continue to show up for us.

Why Planned Interruptions Happen Early Morning

One thing that has sparked much discussion among residents is NEPC’s decision to schedule planned interruptions during early mornings on weekends rather than weekdays. Initially, it seemed inconvenient, but it makes sense when you look at the bigger picture. Here’s NEPC’s justification:

Minimizing Economic Disruption: Interrupting power on weekdays would cause significant disruptions to businesses, offices, industrial operations, schools, and online classes. The economic impact would be substantial.
Household Convenience: Weekend interruptions are scheduled early in the morning so that by the time most households are ready to cook, wash, or bathe, power is already restored.

Of course, there’s no perfect time for everyone. However, NEPC has chosen what they believe is the least disruptive option overall. Still, this approach comes with disadvantages for them as well. Early morning or nighttime work is more hazardous for their linemen, making tasks take longer and increasing operational expenses due to overtime pay and night premiums for employees and contractors.

Acknowledging Consumer Frustrations

I won’t deny that brownouts are frustrating—they disrupt our routines and test our patience. But I’ve tried to understand the situation rather than simply reacting negatively. NEPC can only bill consumers based on actual consumption; if no power runs through our meters during outages, they don’t earn revenue either. Clearly, these interruptions aren’t done out of negligence but are part of a more significant effort to rehabilitate our aging power infrastructure.

Progress Despite Challenges

Despite these hurdles, NEPC has shown signs of progress. They’ve been transparent about their plans to modernize our power distribution system over the next five years with significant investments to improve reliability and efficiency. Their communication during outages—explaining causes and providing updates—has also been commendable. Additionally, NEPC has begun regularizing employees who have completed their six-month probationary period, ensuring a stable workforce committed to delivering better service.

Pasado Na Ba?

So, after six months of operation, has NEPC passed its “probationary period”? While there’s still room for improvement, they’ve shown more than enough dedication and effort to earn my understanding and cautious optimism. Their linemen’s relentless work ethic and commitment to addressing inherited issues speak volumes about their determination to serve us better.

Looking Ahead

As we move into 2025, I remain hopeful that NEPC will continue making strides toward a more reliable power supply for Bacolod City and beyond. Yes, there are challenges—both for us as consumers and for NEPC as a company—but I believe we’re on the right track toward a brighter future powered by resilience and collaboration. For now, I’ll keep my frustrations in check when brownouts occur because I know people are working tirelessly—often at significant personal risk—to bring the light back into our homes. And for that alone, they deserve our respect.

More Stories

Fabulous Asian Lifestyle

Six Months of Service and Challenges | Negros Power