Negros Power yesterday said that it is fully prepared to ensure a reliable power supply throughout the upcoming National and Local Elections on May 12, with a comprehensive contingency plan dubbed “Oplan Halalan 2025.”
According to a press release, the initiative underscores the company’s commitment to supporting democratic processes by guaranteeing a stable power grid before, during, and after election day.
Negros Power’s franchise covers a significant portion of Negros Occidental, including Bacolod City, Talisay City, Silay City, Bago City, Murcia, and Don Salvador Benedicto. The company’s Oplan Halalan 2025 plan encompasses 159 participating schools, seven canvassing centers, and 1 COMELEC tech hub, supported by a total substation capacity of 281MVA, 11 substations, 13 power transformers, and 47 feeder lines.
The power company has already completed key infrastructure improvements and preventive maintenance activities, including the Bacolod-Silay 69kV line rehabilitation to ensuring the reliability of the critical transmission line; Alijis Transformer 2 energization where an 18 MVA capacity was added to enhance power distribution in the area; substation readiness to ensure all substations are fully energized and operational;
Hotspot inspections and transformer maintenance to identify and address potential issues to prevent outages; activation of satellite warehouses for the immediate availability of materials and equipment for swift response to any incidents; Three standby generator units are prepared for backup power in case of outages; and power loads for feeders and transformers are monitored and maintained below 70% capacity to prevent overloading on election day.
ELECTION OPERATIONS
A dedicated Oplan Halalan 2025 Command Center has been activated to monitor the grid 24/7 and respond swiftly to incidents. Thirty seven field crews are strategically deployed across the franchise area to address technical issues, and 20 roving teams will be on standby to provide support and address immediate concerns.
The Command Center will operate in full coordination with the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to ensure seamless communication and rapid response.
POST-ELECTION
Following the elections, Negros Power will conduct a comprehensive performance assessment to review the effectiveness of their response and identify areas for infrastructure enhancement.
Standby teams and resources will remain on standby for two additional days to support any election-related facilities that may require assistance. Clean up drive teams will participate to remove election paraphernalia posted on poles, trees, and other common poster areas.
Engr. Bernard Bailey Del Castillo, Chief Operations Officer of Negros Power, emphasized the company’s preparedness.
“Negros Power is fully prepared for the upcoming National and Local Elections with a robust contingency plan in place. Our command center is now operational and equipped to oversee all field operations. Preventive maintenance across all polling places and canvassing centers has been completed to ensure optimal functionality of all systems. Hotspot corrections within school internal systems have been addressed, and distribution transformers and service drop wires have been uprated to enhance reliability.
We will address any issues near the precincts. Technical and community relations teams will conduct roving around schools, marshalling, and to address any technical or community needs. Operations will run in two shifts, from 5 a.m. until ballot counting concludes.
Tomorrow, May 10, a dry run will simulate procedures and communication protocols, utilizing a reporting app that utilizes field reports in real time on our command center dashboard, reporting, and response processes, ensuring our systems are ready for a seamless election day.”
Their comprehensive preparedness plan underscores its commitment to ensuring a smooth electoral process for all stakeholders, Negros Power said.
NGCP CONTINGENCY MEASURES
NGCP has suspended all maintenance activities beginning May 5, in line with contingency plans set by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for the upcoming national and local elections on Monday.
Construction and non-critical maintenance activities near substations and transmission lines are temporarily suspended from May 5-16.
Maintenance works and construction activities inside substations and within 300 meters of energized power lines are also suspended from May 5-16. All transmission lines were cleared of vegetation and obstructions as of April 30, except for one line in South Luzon. Scheduled vegetation trimming along that line is still being negotiated with the uncooperative landowner.
The contingency measures are set by NGCP to be consistent with the timeline of activities set by the Comelec in its Resolution No. 10999 dated May 24, 2024, prescribing the calendar of activities and prohibited acts in line with the national elections, and Resolution No. 11055 dated September 13, 2024, setting the roles of different agencies in ensuring the peaceful and credible conduct of the midterm elections.
Local absentee voting started on April 28, while the canvassing and proclamation of winners are set from May 13-19. Uninterrupted and reliable transmission of power must be ensured during this critical period, thus warranting maintenance works and shutdowns to be put on hold.
“NGCP is strictly following its contingency measures and coordinating with concerned groups to ensure a power interruption-free election, especially during the crucial periods prescribed by the COMELEC,” said NGCP in a press release.
Based on the updated power outlook, there is sufficient supply on the critical election weeks. Maintenance activities of power plants were also adjusted to ensure their availability during this period.
NGCP will activate the 24/7 operations of its Overall Command Center from May 11 until 8:00PM of May 14, and its critical units, particularly System Operations (SO) and Operations and Maintenance (O&M), will remain fully staffed and operational. Line crews, engineers, pilots, maintenance and testing, and other technical personnel are also strategically positioned in substations to respond to line trippings, if any. Administrative and other support teams will also remain on duty.
As early as February, NGCP’s Power Task Force Elections (PTFE), a special team formed to ensure the security and reliability of the transmission network across the country during the elections, already set out with preparatory activities.*
