• CHRYSEE G. SAMILLANO
The Alliance of Concerned Consumers in Electricity and Social Services (ACCESS) issued an appeal to the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), in support of the granting the Certificate for Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) to Negros Electric and Power Corporation (Negros Power).
ACCESS president Wennie Sancho, in a position paper to ERC chairperson and CEO Monina Dimalanta, dated November 5, said the CPCN issued by the ERC to a distribution utility (DU) is crucial because it confirms the DU’s legal authority to operate and provide electricity distribution services. The CPCN ensures that the DU meets ERC’s standards safeguarding public interests. In summary, CPCN issuance is vital for DU’s to operate legally, provide quality services and ensure public trust.
“We strongly believe that Negros Power is fully prepared and dedicated to serve the electricity consumers of Negros with strength and compassion, prioritizing the delivery of top-notch power services,” he said.
We trust on the key objective of Negros Power which is the major rehabilitation of the aging power distribution system, including meter replacement and rehabilitation of major substation in line with the implementation of its 5-year Development Plan. The first three years involve rehabilitation and standardization phase with the fourth and fifth years on modernization and expanded phase. By implementing this comprehensive plan, Negros Power aims to become the leading distribution utility provider in the region, delivering effective energy solutions and promoting sustainable development, Sancho said.
“If the ERC fails to grant the CPCN applied for by the Negros Power, it would be disastrous for us, the consumers. We will be facing reduce reliability due to the inability of the Negros Power to upgrade and expand its infrastructure which may lead to more frequent power outages. Negros Power may not be able to optimize operations, potentially resulting in higher cost passed on to consumers,” he said.
The possibility of decreased customer services is in the offing if there is no CPCN, due to the inability of the Negros Power to invest on modernization, may impact customers’ engagement and support. In the process, Negros Island Region, may become less attractive to investors and businesses due to power supply concerns, Sancho said.
The failure to grant CPCN to Negros Power will delay renewable energy integration that may increase carbon emissions. Public health and safety would be in peril because frequent power outages can impact hospitals, emergency services and public safety, he said.
To mitigate these risks, we the consumers in the power industry, do hereby appeal to the ERC, for the issuance of a CPCN for the Negros Power to avert the imminent danger we have enumerated, Sancho said.
“Our future as consumers, and as a people seeking for comfort and convenience of reliable power supply are now in desperation. Our future and that of our children now depends on the decision you are about to make. Please look into the plight and the future of more than 220,000 consumers in the franchise area of Negros Power. We appeal for the approval of the CPCN of Negros Power, for the greatest good of the greatest number of consumers in the Negros Island,” he added.*
