BATANGAS, PHILIPPINES – Mounting frustration among Batangas residents and business owners has reached a breaking point as they call for a shift of power supply in BATELEC II areas to Manila Electric Company (Meralco). The growing clamor stems from years of unreliable service, frequent brownouts, and poor power quality under the Batangas II Electric Cooperative, which many blame for crippling local industries—particularly the province’s thriving resort and tourism sector.
According to members of the Batangas Forum for Good Governance and Development Association, Inc., which represents business and civic leaders, professionals, and concerned residents, BATELEC II’s inefficiency has caused immeasurable economic losses. Resort operators in popular destinations such as Mabini, San Juan, Lobo, and Tingloy said that repeated power interruptions have forced them to cancel bookings, issue refunds, and lose potential investors who have since shifted to better-serviced areas like Cavite, Subic, and Bataan.
“The dream of positioning Batangas as a world-class tourism hub will remain out of reach if the power situation does not improve,” the group warned in its October 29, 2025 resolution endorsing the proposed joint venture between Meralco and BATELEC II. The resolution, signed by the Forum’s Chairman, President, Vice President, and Board of Trustees, urged immediate approval of the partnership to modernize infrastructure and end the long-standing electricity woes that have stunted Batangas’ full economic potential.
The group noted that Meralco’s proven track record in Batangas City, Sto. Tomas, and San Pascual demonstrates its capacity to deliver reliable and modernized service—ensuring stable power for both residential consumers and major enterprises. “Meralco’s systems, investments, and operational discipline are exactly what Batangas needs to power its growth,” the Forum said, citing Meralco’s success in maintaining near 100 percent service reliability in its franchise areas.
Covering the cities of Lipa and Tanauan and 15 municipalities including Alitagtag, Balete, Cuenca, Laurel, Lobo, Malvar, Mataas na Kahoy, Mabini, Padre Garcia, Rosario, San Jose, San Juan, Talisay, Taysan, and Tingloy, BATELEC II currently serves a wide geographic area that has long suffered from erratic electricity supply.
Resort owners and manufacturing firms have reported that blackouts lasting hours or even days have become commonplace, damaging appliances, halting production, and undermining the province’s competitiveness as a prime tourism and investment destination. Several entrepreneurs noted that while Batangas boasts proximity to Metro Manila and scenic coastal attractions, its unreliable power infrastructure continues to drive tourists and investors elsewhere.
The Batangas Forum’s endorsement emphasized that the Meralco-BATELEC II joint venture is a crucial step toward ensuring dependable electricity, attracting sustainable investments, and restoring consumer confidence. It also called on the cooperative to prioritize employee welfare and ensure fair employment during the transition, while urging local governments and communities to actively participate in monitoring and supporting the initiative through transparent consultation and regular updates.
“Batangas deserves better,” the Forum concluded. “With Meralco’s expertise and commitment to service reliability, the province can finally move past years of power instability and fully unlock its potential as a premier destination for tourism, enterprise, and development.”
