• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The House of Representatives on Tuesday approved on second reading the bill sponsored by several Negros lawmakers, which grants the Negros Electric Power Corp. (NEPC) a franchise, enabling them to establish, operate, and maintain an electric power distribution system for commercial purposes and in the public interest, in central Negros.
The franchise is specifically intended to serve the cities of Bacolod, Silay, Talisay, and Bago, as well as the municipalities of Murcia and Don Salvador Benedicto in Negros Occidental, for 25 years.
During the debate in the plenary, Parañaque City 2nd District Rep. Gus Tambunting, who chairs the committee on legislative and franchises, emphasized that the Central Negros Electric Cooperative (Ceneco) will still own the 30 percent of NEPC and all of its debts and financial obligations will be settled through the joint venture agreement.
Tambunting also assured the employees that they will be taken care of and their retirement and separation fees from Ceneco will be paid in accordance to the collective bargaining agreements.
He added that they will also be given first preference if they wish to apply to NEPC.
The bill is jointly sponsored by Abang Lingkod party list Rep. Stephen Joseph Paduano, Reps. Jose Francisco Benitez (3rd District), Juliet Ferrer (4th District) and Rep. Greg Gasataya (Lone District of Bacolod).
The primary objective of the franchise, according to NEPC, is to ensure the continuous and uninterrupted supply of electricity in the aforementioned franchise area, aiming to meet the energy needs of the residents and contribute to the region’s development and progress.
NEPC added that the legislation marks a significant step towards addressing the energy requirements of the covered areas, promoting economic growth, and enhancing the overall quality of electric distribution for the residents. | GB
