BATANGAS CITY — The Provincial Government of Batangas has called on BATELEC II to explain the three-year delay in acting on a proposed joint venture with Manila Electric Company (Meralco), amid concerns that recurring power outages are affecting business confidence and economic growth in the province.
The issue was raised during a public hearing on February 27 led by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Committee on Transportation, Communication and Public Utility, chaired by Board Member Melvin Vidal with Vice Chair Alfredo Corona.
The hearing was prompted by a resolution from the Batangas Forum for Good Governance and Development Association, Inc., which urged provincial officials to support the proposed partnership. In a letter, the group said persistent power interruptions have resulted in significant losses for businesses and disrupted daily operations across the BATELEC II franchise area.
Meralco Senior Vice President Arnel Casanova said the company submitted its joint venture proposal three years ago. He clarified that the arrangement is not a takeover but a capital and operational partnership designed to strengthen BATELEC II’s distribution system. Meralco has committed to invest billions of pesos to upgrade infrastructure and improve reliability.
Casanova noted that Meralco already operates in Sto. Tomas, Batangas City, and San Pascual—three of the province’s key economic hubs—where energy sales are reportedly higher than those of BATELEC I and II combined.
BATELEC II representative Engr. Mary Ann Dimaano said a technical working group is drafting the terms of reference and confirmed that proposals were also received from Aboitiz and Prime. She emphasized that management is studying all submissions and considering the interests of member-consumer-owners.
Vice Governor Hermilando Mandanas raised questions about BATELEC II’s long-term capacity, particularly with its franchise set to expire in 2030. The cooperative plans to secure a new franchise directly from Congress and operate independently of the National Electrification Administration.
Provincial officials said ensuring reliable power supply is critical to sustaining Batangas’ position as one of the country’s leading industrial corridors and attracting further investments.|
