• CHRYSEE G. SAMILLANO
The Alliance of Concerned Consumers in Electricity and Social Services (ACCESS) unanimously approved yesterday Resolution No. 2026-04-001 commending and supporting Negros Power and Electrical Corporation for upholding consumer welfare and service standards consistent with Department of Energy policies.
Led by its president Wennie Sancho, ACCESS is a multi-sectoral organization committed to protecting the rights and welfare of electricity consumers in Negros Island and Western Visayas.
The DOE has consistently called for accountability, timely corrective action, and the conduct of Competitive Selection Process (CSP) to secure the lowest cost of power for the captive market, as reiterated during the Senate Committee on Public Services hearing on March 18.
Negros Electric and Power Corporation has, since assuming operations, manifested commitment to: improve service reliability in its franchise area through sustained capital investment and system upgrades; uphold transparency in billing, rates, and consumer programs; comply with DOE and ERC directives on consumer welfare, including bill deposit refunds and lifeline rate implementation, a statement from the group said.
ACCESS recognizes that the consumers of Negros Island have long suffered from high power rates, frequent brownouts, and poor service under previous franchise holders, and that any distribution utility that reverses this trend deserves public support.
Building a modern, responsive, and consumer-centered power utility requires the active cooperation of local government units, civil society, and the consumers themselves.
The ACCESS statement commends Negros Electric and Power Corporation for its demonstrated efforts to align its operations with the standards of reliability, transparency, and consumer protection set forth by the Department of Energy and the Energy Regulatory Commission.
It expresses full support for Negros Electric and Power Corporation programs that directly benefit consumers, including but not limited to: system loss reduction and infrastructure rehabilitation; implementation of bill deposit refunds with interest pursuant to the Magna Carta; conduct of fair and transparent competitive selection process for power supply; and consumer education and assistance desks for lifeline and senior citizen discounts.
ACCESS also calls in DOE, ERC, and Congress to provide Negros Electric and Power Corporation the regulatory stability and policy support needed to complete its modernization program, so that Negrense consumers may finally enjoy the affordable, reliable, and clean electricity guaranteed by law.
It urges all consumers in the franchise area to remain vigilant, pay bills on time to qualify for bill deposit refunds, and report service concerns through proper channels, thereby becoming active partners in the transformation of power service in Negros Island.
Copies of the resolution will be furnished to the DOE, ERC, Office of the President, Senate Committee on Energy, House Committee on Energy, Provincial Government of Negros Occidental, and the Management of Negros Electric and Power Corporation for their information and appropriate action.*
