• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Negros Electric and Power Corp. (Negros Power/NEPC) is 100 percent ready to serve its consumers as soon as it will be given a go-signal to operate, its president Roel Castro said on Thursday (June 13).
The 25-year franchise being sought by Negros Power, following its approval by Congress, is now in Malacañang for the signing of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Castro said they are targeting to serve their clients by August 1, or even earlier.
House Bill 9805 aims to grant a franchise for NEPC to take over the power distribution system in cities of Bacolod, Bago, Talisay, Silay and the municipalities of Murcia and Salvador Benedicto from Central Negros Electric Cooperative (Ceneco) through a joint venture agreement.
The temporary office and business center of Negros Power is located at the second floor of Robinsons East along Burgos Street in Barangay Villamonte, Bacolod City.
“Equipment-wise, there is no problem. Except for one or two minor systems to be installed on July 5. All the rest are in place,” Castro said, noting that the bulk of their people will come from Ceneco.
“Whoever will be absorbed, will be trained and oriented, to ensure that on Day 1 of operations, everybody is ready,” he added.
Castro and Ma. Cecilia Pe, assistant vice president for Customer Care, led the local media in the tour of the temporary office of Negros Power, including the Customer Care Center, a place where consumers can expect a serene and accommodating customer service experience, as well as its Business Operations Center.
The modern consumer hub is fully air-conditioned, spacious, and aims to showcase the standards of quality customer service.
Negros Power is investing P2.1 billion in capital expenditures to put up “cutting-edge and top-of-the-line systems” for a better consumer experience, Castro said. | GB
