Table of Contents
Consumer watchdog Bantay Kuryente Movement and the South Cotabato II Electric Cooperative (SOCOTECO II) have agreed to strengthen collaboration on consumer education and transparency, as debates intensify over the cooperative’s future and competing proposals to overhaul its power distribution system.
The two groups met on March 11 at SOCOTECO II’s office in Apopong, General Santos City, to discuss key issues affecting member-consumer-owners (MCOs), including electricity rates, persistent brownouts, and the cooperative’s responsiveness to consumer complaints.
During the meeting, Bantay Kuryente raised concerns over delays in responding to complaints filed through the cooperative’s hotline and social media channels. Both sides acknowledged the need to improve these platforms to ensure faster resolution of consumer concerns and more effective communication with the public.
SOCOTECO II also expressed willingness to work with the consumer group on information, education, and communication (IEC) initiatives aimed at strengthening awareness among member-consumers about cooperative governance, rights and responsibilities, and responsible electricity use.
Consumer Engagement
In a statement issued on March 13, Bantay Kuryente welcomed its recognition as a “partner consumer group” of the cooperative and pledged to pursue constructive engagement.
A joint team composed of Bantay Kuryente members and SOCOTECO II’s Institutional Services Department will develop IEC programs that will be rolled out across General Santos City, Sarangani province, and parts of South Cotabato.
The initiative comes as SOCOTECO II faces mounting public frustration over electricity rate increases, rotational brownouts, and limited information regarding ongoing discussions about possible partnerships or privatization of the cooperative.
Bantay Kuryente clarified that it is not opposed to potential joint ventures that could improve SOCOTECO II’s services. However, the group emphasized that any partnership or privatization effort must adhere to transparency, accountability, and a competitive selection process.
Strong Demand For Reforms
Earlier in February, Bantay Kuryente released results of a snap survey among 100 respondents from General Santos City, Sarangani, South Cotabato, and nearby areas, highlighting growing dissatisfaction with power service.
The survey found that 91.5 percent of respondents were willing to accept a slight increase in electricity rates if outages are reduced and customer service improves. Only 8.5 percent said they prefer maintaining the current system.
At the same time, 95.7 percent of respondents said they want to retain their co-ownership and participation in managing the cooperative. Only 4.3 percent supported a full private takeover that would dissolve the cooperative structure.
All respondents also said politics and politicians should be kept out of the cooperative’s management, calling for SOCOTECO II to operate strictly as a service-oriented utility.
“These results confirm what consumers have been saying for years: they want reliable power supply, better customer service, and a system that works,” Bantay Kuryente said.
Competing Proposals
The reform discussions are unfolding alongside competing proposals from two major power groups seeking to take over or partner with SOCOTECO II.
One proposal comes from Ignite Power, a joint venture between boxing champion Manny Pacquiao and businessman Enrique “Ricky” Razon Jr. The group has offered a ₱10-billion joint venture plan aimed at modernizing the cooperative’s distribution network while allowing consumers to retain participation through a 30 percent stake in the new company.
Under the proposal, Ignite Power would acquire SOCOTECO II’s distribution assets, while the cooperative would maintain ownership of its real estate assets. The company has also pledged to release an initial ₱2 billion in the first year of a five-year development plan to rehabilitate infrastructure.
In contrast, Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), led by businessman Manuel V. Pangilinan, has proposed a full privatization model that would convert SOCOTECO II into a stock corporation. Under this approach, ownership would be limited to Meralco and individuals who purchase shares, potentially excluding member-consumers who cannot afford to invest.
The decision on which path to pursue ultimately rests with SOCOTECO II’s member-consumer-owners, who will determine the cooperative’s future through a voting process.
For Bantay Kuryente and SOCOTECO II, the newly forged partnership aims to ensure that consumers remain informed and actively involved as those decisions unfold.
Source:
https://tribune.net.ph/2026/02/15/consumers-call-for-reform-reject-politics-in-socoteco-iisurvey
