BACOLOD City – After nearly a decade without electricity, hope is finally on the horizon for more than 150 households in Bago City, Negros Occidental as the local government and partners move to energize their community.
On July 14, officials of the Sumal-aganon Nagahandum Makabalay Homeowners Association Inc. (SUNMAHOAI) met with Mayor Ma. Gina Lizares Javellana-Yao at her office to raise long-standing concerns, particularly the lack of electrical connections in their area.
Following the meeting, 157 households in Purok Pinetree, Barangay Tabunan are now set to receive electricity — ending nine years of living in the dark.
Javellana-Yao lauded the collaboration between the city government, Negros Electric and Power Corporation (Negros Power), and other stakeholders.
“This is not just about bringing light — it’s about bringing hope,” the mayor said, expressing optimism under her administration’s “SANAG BAGO” program, which aims to energize all communities in the city.
Agnes Gicos, president of SUNMAHOAI, shared that their members had struggled to meet the documentary requirements and afford the P3,500 contribution fee per household for electrical connection.
To fast-track the process, Engineer Noel Makilan, officer-in-charge of the City Engineering Office, said Negros Power will initially provide electricity through a temporary permit. He explained that the city government will simplify and expedite the application process, which typically takes only a week once all documents are completed.
“This community falls under the category of non-formal settlers and is part of the economic and socialized housing sector, so a temporary permit is allowed,” Makilan said.
The city government is also studying the possibility of subsidizing the P1,170 meter deposit required per household. Makilan added that indigent residents will be prioritized for the subsidy, while Negros Power will handle the line extension for areas without secondary lines.
Joel Jaquinta, Negros Power Program Specialist and Sitio Electrification Program (SEP) Coordinator, confirmed the company’s commitment to energizing unserved communities.
“The mayor has already committed to making SUNMAHOAI member-beneficiaries of the city’s electrification program,” he said.
“This is just the beginning. We see the mayor’s genuine commitment to helping unserved communities,” Jaquinta added, noting that Bago City has the most number of unenergized areas within the Negros Power service coverage, particularly in Central Negros.
To date, Negros Power has already energized three sitios in Barangay Don Jorge Araneta, and energization projects are ongoing in barangays Dulao and Busay./PN
