BACOLOD City – Negros Electric and Power Corporation (Negros Power) has launched its underground distribution system (UDS) project here, following a provisional Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) from the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC).
A groundbreaking ceremony was held on November 13 at the Negros Occidental Capitol Lagoon, led by Negros Power president and chief executive officer Roel Castro, alongside Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez, Cong. Greg Gasataya, Vice Gov. Jeffrey Ferrer, and city councilors.
The UDS pilot project aims to bury power lines along a one-kilometer stretch of Lacson Street, starting from Capitol Road to B.S. Aquino Drive. The overall plan is to cover six kilometers.
Negros Power’s Chief Operations Officer, Engineer Bernard Bailey Del Castillo, presented the project overview, emphasizing that this initiative will improve urban aesthetics, safety, and reliability by eliminating overhead wires.
With Phase 1 projected to commence in early 2025, Negros Power is in the final stages of contract terms and expects to select a contractor by December.
The initial phase, part of a planned six-kilometer project costing around P79 million, will span a 10-month construction period.
Castro is already experienced in implementing UDS projects. He also leads Negros Power’s sister company in Iloilo City, MORE Electric and Power Corporation, which has a similar project there that is nearing completion.
He highlighted that underground cabling allows trees to grow freely without the need for trimming and prevents power outages caused by animals interfering with overhead lines.
Negros Power has collaborated with telecommunications companies to remove bundled cables from the project area, as around 80% of wires belong to telecom providers.
“Once these cables are removed, the area will be clear, resulting in a more organized and aesthetically pleasing environment,” Del Castillo said.
The benefits of the UDS project extend to greater safety, reduced power outage risks, resilience against extreme weather, and support for Bacolod’s economic growth.
Mayor Benitez noted that this shift towards underground cabling is long overdue for a highly urbanized city like Bacolod.
He added that the city council is reviewing a proposed ordinance to mandate underground cabling, aiming to eliminate unsightly overhead wires that have cluttered Bacolod’s skyline for years./PN
