By Mae Singuay

The Negros Electric and Power Corporation (NEPC) will grant amnesty for consumers of Central Negros Electric Cooperative (Ceneco) with illegal connections once the takeover is expected to take effect in August.

This was revealed by Roel Castro, NEPC president and chief executive officer, during the NEPC Press Seminar on Power 101 and Rate Setting held in Bacolod City yesterday, July 18.

Castro said once they commence their operation, hopefully by August 1, they will give a one-month amnesty to more than 6,000 Ceneco consumers with illegal connections.

He encourages consumers to avail of the amnesty program, wherein NEPC will waive the penalties and past dues on their electric bills.

They just have to apply, then they will have a legal connection, he added.

Meanwhile, Castro also hopes that NEPC will have its franchise granted within this month.

House Bill 9805, which grants a franchise to NEPC, is now pending at the Office of the President for signature to become a law.

The franchise will grant NEPC an authority to operate and improve electricity distribution in Ceneco’s franchise areas in Negros Occidental cities of Bago, Talisay and Silay, as well as the municipalities of Murcia and Don Salvador Benedicto, and capital Bacolod.

Earlier, the NEPC unveiled its temporary office in Bacolod, signaling its readiness to commence operations pending approval of its franchise.

The temporary office, which houses NEPC’s corporate, operation and customer care centers, is located on the 2nd floor of Robinsons East Mall on Burgos Avenue in Barangay Villamonte.

Castro earlier emphasized NEPC’s commitment to serving consumers from Day 1 of operations, ensuring that their needs and concerns will be addressed immediately.

NEPC has collaborated with Ceneco through a joint venture agreement to provide efficient power distribution services in Central Negros./MS, WDJ