November 13, 2024 – The Negros Electric and Power Corporation (NEPC), in partnership with the City of Bacolod held a blessing and groundbreaking ceremony of the Lacson Street Underground Distribution System Project today at the Capitol Park and Lagoon, Bacolod City.

Present were Mayor Albee Benitez, NEPC Engr. Bernard Bailey Del Castillo, NEPC CEO Roel Z. Castro, Congressman Greg Gasataya, Province of Negros Occidental Vice-Governor Jeffrey Ferrer, together with Councilors Thaddy Sayson, Israel Salanga, Em Ang, Vladimir Gonzalez, Jason Villarosa, Kalaw Puentevella, Simple Distrito, and Celia Flor, Special Assistant to the Mayor Engr. Mae Cuaycong, and City Engineer’s Office Head Engr. Loben Ceballos.

With an allotted budget of 79 million pesos, the project will work on a 1 kilometer stretch from the corner of Capitol Road all to the way to the corner of BS Aquino Drive. During the opening remarks, it was shared that Lacson Street was chosen for the reason that it is a central location, an economic hub, to enhance tourist appeal, urban development, and improved public safety, reliability, and aesthetics.

In his keynote message, Mayor Albee Benitez expressed his support for the project and shared that the ordinance that will allow to bring all the wires underground is now on its second reading with Councilor Kalaw Puentevella as the lead author. Mayor Albee also suggested to put Bacolod City as the coordinating body to coordinate between Negros Power and the telcos.

Lastly, it was emphasized that NEPC is targeting to award the project this December and to secure the approved permits for the excavation by January which will indicate the project’s start. In the next 10 months before MassKara, NEPC is targeting to finish the 1 kilometer stretch.

(Source: Bacolod City Public Information Office)