25/07/2026
POWER AND PROGRESS ⚡ | Sarangani Gov. Ruel Pacquiao underscores the need for reliable, stable and affordable electricity to support investments, jobs and continued economic growth.
Read what he told SOCOTECO II member-consumer-owners during the cooperative’s 43rd Annual General Membership Assembly in General Santos City. 👇
| GOV. RUEL PACQUIAO CALLS FOR RELIABLE, AFFORDABLE POWER AT SOCOTECO II ASSEMBLY
GENERAL SANTOS CITY — Sarangani Gov. Rogelio "Ruel" D. Pacquiao called for stronger collaboration to ensure reliable, stable and affordable electricity as he addressed member-consumer-owners during the 43rd Annual General Membership Assembly (AGMA) of SOCOTECO II at the Apopong Gym in General Santos City on Saturday, July 25.
Pacquiao said a dependable power supply is crucial to sustaining Sarangani’s economic growth, attracting investments and creating jobs.
SARANGANI’S GROWING ECONOMY
Citing Philippine Statistics Authority data, the governor noted that Sarangani’s economy grew by 5.9% in 2024, higher than SOCCSKSARGEN’s 5.5% growth and the national rate of 5.7%. The province’s economy reached ₱52.66 billion.
“Investors choose locations where electricity is reliable, stable, and affordable,” Pacquiao said.
WHY RELIABLE POWER MATTERS
The governor pointed out that food processing facilities, agricultural cold storage, manufacturing plants, schools, tourism establishments and digital services all depend on uninterrupted electricity.
Power disruptions, he said, can lead to production delays, agricultural losses and interruptions in public and business services.
Pacquiao also stressed the importance of keeping electricity rates reasonable while strengthening infrastructure to withstand natural disasters and meet increasing demand.
CALL FOR STRONGER COLLABORATION
Pacquiao called for closer coordination among power generators, the transmission sector, distribution utilities, local government units and the national government in developing long-term solutions for the power sector.
“We must work together to identify practical solutions that will provide consumers with dependable electricity at a reasonable cost through transparency, efficiency, and responsible governance,” Pacquiao said.
The governor also reaffirmed the Sarangani Provincial Government’s support for additional power capacity and more resilient energy infrastructure.
SOCOTECO II’S MODERNIZATION CHALLENGE
Pacquiao’s remarks come as SOCOTECO II considers measures to rehabilitate and modernize its electricity distribution system amid growing demand across its franchise area.
Among these is the proposed Joint Venture Agreement with Ignite Power, which would bring private-sector capital into infrastructure projects involving aging distribution facilities, expansion of substation and feeder capacities, replacement of obsolete equipment and modernization of the distribution network.
THE PROPOSED IGNITE POWER JV
The proposed partnership covers SOCOTECO II’s service area, including General Santos City and Sarangani Province, and is among the major long-term options being considered to improve the reliability, resilience and efficiency of electricity distribution.
For SOCOTECO II’s member-consumer-owners, the discussions ultimately center on a critical question: how to secure a more reliable and resilient power system while keeping electricity affordable.
