• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
In a move toward inclusive development and public safety, Negros Electric and Power Corporation (Negros Power) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the City Government of Silay to provide safe, legal, and reliable electricity to over 5,000 informal settler households.
The MOA signing took place on April 4 in Silay City, attended by Mayor Joedith Gallego, Councilor Mike Maravilla, and other local officials, alongside Negros Power President and CEO Roel Castro and other managers.
The agreement addresses the urgent need to replace hazardous, illegal connections with legitimate, metered electricity in underserved communities.
“This MOA is a testament to our shared goal of building a more secure, dignified, and sustainable future for all Silaynons,” according to Gallego.
“Legal electrification is a basic right and a vital foundation for further development in these communities,” he added.
Under Republic Act No. 12011, Negros Power has been granted the franchise to operate the electric distribution system, including Silay City.
With this authority, the company is now tasked to ensure equitable and non-discriminatory access to electricity, especially for informal settlers—defined as those living on land they do not legally own but occupy with tolerance from public or private entities.
“This agreement is about more than just powering homes,” Castro said.
“It’s about enabling dreams, improving safety, and unlocking economic and educational opportunities for thousands of families,” he added.
The MOA states that it will not reduce or remove any existing rights or benefits provided to informal settlers under other applicable laws.
Silay City, a third-class component city with sixteen barangays, has long faced challenges related to fire hazards and community safety due to illegal and unsafe power connections.
Through this collaboration, informal settlers will be formally integrated into the energy grid, allowing them to access government programs linked to legal utility connections and residency documentation, Negros Power, said in a statement.*
