Negros Power Launches Underground Cable System Project In Bacolod City

Negros Electric and Power Corporation (NEPC) has embarked on a groundbreaking initiative in Bacolod City by launching the Lacson Street Underground Distribution System Project. This project, held in collaboration with the City of Bacolod, marks a significant step towards enhancing urban aesthetics, safety, and reliability by transitioning overhead wires underground.

The ceremony, graced by key figures including Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez, Congressman Greg Gasataya, Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer, and NEPC officials led by CEO Roel Castro and COO Engr. Bernard Bailey Del Castillo, commemorated the start of a transformative endeavor.

Project Overview

The initial phase of the underground cabling project will cover a one-kilometer stretch along Lacson Street, from Capitol Road to B.S. Aquino Drive. With a budget of 79 million pesos, this segment is part of a broader six-kilometer plan to modernize Bacolod’s power distribution system.

The project’s timeline is ambitious yet promising:

• December 2024: Awarding of the project to a contractor.
• January 2025: Start of excavation and construction, pending permit approvals.
• October 2025: Target completion of the first kilometer, coinciding with the MassKara Festival.

Key Benefits

→ Urban Aesthetics

Removing overhead wires will enhance the visual appeal of Lacson Street, a central economic hub and major thoroughfare.

→ Safety and Reliability

Underground cables are less vulnerable to weather conditions, foreign object interference, and animal intrusions, reducing the risk of power outages.

→ Economic Growth

Improved infrastructure aligns with Bacolod’s goal to attract more investors and boost its urban development. Business leaders, including Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Frank Carbon, lauded the project as a step toward “power security,” ensuring reliable and cost-effective energy.

Transforming Bacolod’s Infrastructure

Mayor Benitez emphasized that modernizing Bacolod’s infrastructure through underground cabling is essential to addressing unsightly “spaghetti wires” while improving public safety, reliability, and urban aesthetics. He commended the project’s strategic location along Lacson Street — a central and economically significant area — as an important move to promote tourism and urban development. Supporting this vision, an ordinance authored by Councilor Claudio Jesus Puentevella to mandate underground cabling citywide is nearing final approval.

NEPC’s initiative also reflects a commitment to sustainability and disaster resilience. Transitioning from cluttered overhead wires to a more streamlined underground system addresses concerns about natural calamities and urban clutter, creating a safer and more reliable power distribution network.

With plans to complete the one-kilometer stretch before the MassKara Festival, the project signifies NEPC’s dedication to aligning infrastructure modernization with Bacolod’s cultural and economic growth. This effort lays the groundwork for a cityscape that meets modern standards while reflecting innovation and progress.

A Collaborative Step Toward Progress

As Bacolod City moves forward with this initiative, the collaboration between NEPC and local authorities serves as a milestone in the city’s journey towards an advanced and visually appealing urban environment. This project not only meets immediate infrastructure goals but also strengthens Bacolod’s position as a forward-thinking city, ready to embrace modern challenges and opportunities.