A maverick Senator on Thursday slammed the National Power Corporation (Napocor) for failing to settle its P144-million-peso debt to an electric cooperative on Mindoro, warning the unpaid bills could trigger blackouts.

Senator Rodante Marcoleta told a Senate energy committee hearing that Napocor’s outstanding payments to the Oriental Mindoro Electric Cooperative (ORMECO) were forcing the utility to cut power generation.

“The power producers don’t have long rope. They will reduce production, brownouts are certain,” Marcoleta said, questioning why Napocor was not using available funds from a universal charge to settle the debt.

He said the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) had already ordered the government-run corporation to pay its dues to allow power producers to operate properly, expressing puzzlement over the delay.

Senate Energy Committee chairperson Sen. Pia Cayetano pressed Napocor officials on why payment was being held up despite sufficient funds.

“Is your money in a time deposit? Did you lend it to other people?” Cayetano asked.

Napocor officials said they needed to follow a 45-day verification process before releasing payments, with only 11 of 14 vouchers approved and being processed.

But Marcoleta rejected the explanation, saying people were suffering while waiting for payment.

Napocor promised to begin processing payments starting Friday, November 7, 2025.