By Mae Singuay
The House of Representatives approved House Bill (HB) 9805, which grants a franchise to Negros Electric and Power Corporation (NEPC), on the third and final reading yesterday.
With 225 votes in favor, nine against and one abstention, the 19th Congress’ approval solidifies NEPC’s authority to operate and improve electricity distribution in Central Negros Electric Cooperative’s (Ceneco) franchise areas.
HB 9805 will grant the NEPC a 25-year franchise to establish, operate and maintain a power distribution system for 177,700 Ceneco member-consumer-owners in Negros Occidental cities of Silay, Talisay and Bago, as well as the municipalities of Murcia and Don Salvador Benedicto, and capital Bacolod City.
Following the bill’s approval, Power Watch Negros Secretary-General Wennie Sancho said NEPC will provide a sufficient and constant power supply, which is indispensable for economic development in its franchise areas and Negros Occidental as well.
Sancho said NEPC’s franchise and its joint venture agreement (JVA) with Ceneco will reduce power outages, as the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines will less likely raise red or yellow alerts due to sufficient power supply and ancillary services.
HB 9805 will be transmitted to the Senate for its concurrence.
Upon the Senate’s approval, the bill, signed by Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and House Speaker Martin Romualdez, and certified by the respective secretaries, will be forwarded to the Office of the President.
Once the bill is approved by the President, a Republic Act Number will be assigned, and it will be returned to the House of Representatives.
In the case of a veto, the bill and an explanation will be sent back to the originating House for further action.
HB 9805 was sponsored by Negros Occidental Representatives Juliet Marie Ferrer (4th District), Francisco Benitez (3rd District) and Greg Gasataya (Bacolod Lone District), as well as Abang Lingkod Party-list Representative Stephen Paduano.
The NEPC and Ceneco entered into a JVA last year to improve power distribution services in the cooperative’s franchise areas./MS, WDJ