Negros Power Hosts Visayas Power Forum in Bacolod
Negros Power recently hosted the Visayas Power Forum in Bacolod City as part of its commitment to transparency and consumer education.
Negros Power recently hosted the Visayas Power Forum in Bacolod City as part of its commitment to transparency and consumer education.
To increase public awareness about the current power supply situation and electricity pricing, Negros Power recently hosted the Visayas Power Forum held in Bacolod City. This is in line with its commitment to transparency and consumer education as it operates the electricity distribution utility in Central Negros.
The Visayas Power Forum 2026
The Distribution Utilities (DU) under PrimElectric Holdings, Inc., Negros Electric and Power Corp. (Negros Power), together with MORE Power, and Bohol Light Company, hosted the Visayas Power Forum: Grid Reliability and Electricity Price Outlook last July 13, 2026. It was held at the SMX Convention Center Bacolod.
The forum brought together key players in the energy sector, including representatives from the Department of Energy (DOE), Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines (IEMOP), local government units, business organizations, consumer groups, and members of the media. The event served as a platform to discuss the current condition of the Visayas power grid and explain the factors affecting electricity prices across the region.
Reasons Behind the Recent Increases in Electricity Rates
During the discussions, industry experts emphasized that developments largely influence recent increases in electricity rates in the power generation sector. The prolonged unavailability of several major power plants, combined with transmission limitations and reduced reserve capacity, has led to recurring Yellow and Red Alert conditions in the Visayas Grid.
These supply constraints have driven higher prices in the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM), resulting in increased generation charges reflected in consumers’ monthly electricity bills.
In his opening message, Niel V. Parcon, Vice President for Corporate Energy Sourcing and Commercial Affairs of PrimElectric Holdings, highlighted the importance of providing consumers with accurate and timely information on developments affecting the power industry. He stressed that open dialogue among government agencies, regulators, industry stakeholders, and consumers is essential in addressing current challenges and identifying long-term solutions.
The forum featured presentations from Joseph Ladrido of the Institute of Contemporary Economics, who discussed the economic effects of market price volatility and marginal losses; IEMOP President Engr. Robinson Descanzo of IEMOP, who presented the current power supply situation and operational outlook for the Visayas Grid; Director Luningning Baltazar of the DOE, who shared government initiatives to improve supply reliability; and Antonette Badillo of the ERC, who explained regulatory measures aimed at helping cushion the impact of volatile electricity prices on consumers.
Participants also took part in an interactive open forum, where members of the media and stakeholders raised questions and exchanged insights with the panel of experts regarding the region’s power supply outlook and electricity market conditions.
Negros Power’s Commitment to Its Consumers
Negros Power reaffirmed that while distribution utilities deliver electricity to consumers, generation charges are determined by prevailing market conditions and the availability of power supply within the grid.
Through initiatives such as the Visayas Power Forum, the company continues to strengthen public understanding of the electric power industry while promoting transparency, collaboration, and informed discussions that support a more reliable and sustainable energy future for the Visayas.
