• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Negros Electric and Power Corporation (Negros Power) yesterday said that the bill deposit is mandatory and standard requirement for all Distribution Utilities (DUs) in the country, as mandated by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC).
In a statement, Negros Power clarified the importance of bill deposits, as it explained the option for bill deposit refunds, amid the transition from the Central Negros Electric Cooperative (CENECO).
Stressing that the bill deposit is a mandatory and standard requirement for all DUs in the country, as mandated by the ERC, Negros Power Assistant Vice President for Customer Care Maricel Pe emphasized that it serves as a security measure to cover future electricity bills and ensure uninterrupted service.
Pe further clarified that new consumers who applied for connection under Negros Power have already paid their bill deposit as part of the application and energization process.
For former CENECO consumers who still have an existing bill deposit with CENECO, there is an option to apply for a refund, she added.
“This refund option is available exclusively to former CENECO consumers with an existing bill deposit with CENECO,” Pe explained.
Negros Power will assist eligible former CENECO consumers in processing their bill deposit refund.
Any refundable deposit will be coordinated with CENECO and, once approved, will be transferred directly to the consumer’s current Negros Power account, Pe said.
However, Pe stressed that not all consumers are automatically entitled to a refund — eligibility will depend on CENECO’s evaluation of each account.
Negros Power encourages consumers to visit their offices first, as they have staff to guide them through the process, help fill out the necessary CENECO application form for bill deposit refund, and coordinate with CENECO on their behalf.
This process is part of the Joint Venture Agreement (JVA) between CENECO and Negros Power, which grants Negros Power the right to follow up on all concerns of its consumers with CENECO to ensure a smoother transition — including, but not limited to, bill deposit refunds.
“We want to make the transition as seamless as possible for our consumers,” Pe stressed in a statement issued by Negros Power.*
