• CHERYL G. CRUZ
The Central Negros Electric Cooperative said that starting Aug. 1, all field personnel – including meter readers, disconnectors, and linemen deployed to carry out meter reading and billing services, disconnection, and troubleshooting activities – will be employees of the Negros Electric and Power Corporation (NEPC).
“These personnel will be wearing the official company uniform and ID,” the Ceneco management posted Thursday afternoon, adding that “this transition is part of our ongoing commitment to ensuring uninterrupted and efficient service.”
“As we move from Ceneco to NEPC, we ask for your cooperation in allowing NEPC’s dedicated team to conduct necessary activities in your premises. Our priority is to maintain a seamless service experience for you,” the electric cooperative added.
NEPC, also known as Negros Power, is a joint venture company between Primelectric Holdings Inc. and Ceneco, and earlier confirmed the employment of the latter’s more than 200 employees.
Negros Power said it also prepared their offices, materials, and equipment needed for their upcoming operation this month to ensure a smooth transition.
In an advisory Aug. 1, it said that both managements agreed to utilize the temporary office of Negros Power to facilitate customer transactions.
The “fully air-conditioned Customer Care Center, equipped with a digital queuing system, complimentary coffee, and bread, is located on the second floor of Robinsons East Center, Burgos Street in Brgy. Villamonte, Bacolod,” Negros Power said, adding that consumers visiting the Ceneco office on Mabini Street will be provided with free shuttle service” to the NEPC office.
The office will operate 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mondays to Saturdays, with no-noon break, and will accept payment of current billings, application for new connections, follow-up on pending applications, bill deposit payments, request for reconnections, and other customer-related requests and concerns.
The offices of Ceneco in Bago, Silay, Talisay, and Murcia, meanwhile, will still cater to the concerns of consumers in these areas, the NEPC said.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed July 26 Republic Act 12011, or the franchise of NEPC to manage and operate the electricity distribution system in Central Negros.
As per the joint venture, Primelectric Holdings will acquire all power distribution assets of Ceneco valued, at over P2 billion, with 70 percent in cash and the remaining 30 percent as share of Ceneco in NEPC, the Negros Power said in a press release July 30, adding it allotted an initial P2-billion capital for a five-year plan “to rehabilitate and modernize the electric infrastructure, establish a robust distribution system…and reduce incidents of unscheduled power outages.” | CGC
