By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Central Negros Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Ceneco) and the city government of Bacolod are working on a plan to reduce power consumption by the city government.
Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia said he met with personnel from Ceneco and the City Engineer’s Office to discuss how to cut the city’s electricity bill.
The mayor notes the possibility of illegal connections contributing to additional charges.
“Ceneco has agreed to join hands with the city to locate these. We would like to put an end to this practice if there is any establishments or individuals that are illegally using the electricity, whose consumption is being charged to the city,” he explained.
For Ceneco General Manager Sulpicio Lagarde, Jr., he said they will be conducting investigations on illegal connections, particularly around Burgos Market.
He also suggested the city convert streetlights from sodium halide bulbs to light-emitting diode (LED), saying there were around 2,700 lights that could be converted.
“If this will be implemented, the immediate effect is about 20 to 25 percent reduction in subsequent bills.”/WDJ