Lipa City – Residents from various municipalities in Batangas
raise alarm over the worsening power service provided by
the local power cooperative,
specifically Batangas II Electric Cooperative (BATELEC
II). BATELEC II is the distributor of electric power to San
Juan, Taysan, Lobo, Rosario,
Mabini, Tingloy, Bauan, San
Pascual, Ibaan, Alitagtag,
Cuenca, San Jose, Mataas na
Kahoy, Balete, Padre Garcia,
Malvar, Talisay, Laurel, and
Batangas City.
The residents from the
vast coverage area of BATELEC II decry the service providers recurring scheduled power outages coupled with the
high generation rates levied
upon consumers. According
to complaints, the frequent
power interruptions can last
up to several hours, resulting
in great inconvenience in daily lives and massive losses to
businesses.
Nina Balogo, a local
business owner based in
Taysan says her livelihood is
greatly impacted by BATELEC II’s unreliable service.
Running a piggery, each interruption has a double effect on
their operations. Power outages at the piggery also results
in water service interruption,
a crucial utility used in daily
operations.
For Mae Panganiban,
a housewife in Lobo, almost
daily power interruptions have
negatively impacted their family’s health and wellbeing. The
dry season is exacerbated by
lack of power service resulting
in sleepless nights and bouts
of flu.
Another sector affected by BATELEC II’s poor
service are work-from-home
employees who are heavily
reliant on consistent service,
both internet and electricity,
to fulfill their daily tasks. Both
Ruth Manguiat from Mabini
and Yanna Yee from Lipa City
expressed their frustration
about having to find alternative workspaces outside their
homes every time BATELEC II
announces a scheduled power interruption, defeating the
purpose of their work-fromhome arrangements.
Aside from the life and livelihood inconveniences
brought by frequent service
interruptions by BATELEC II,
another concern irks residents
is the strain unreliable electricity puts on their appliances.
Constant surges and outages
affect electrical components
and cause early degradation
and even breakage.
The rising uproar among
Batangas residents against
BATELEC II has reached the
local government. Members
of the Municipal Council of
Lobo, Batangas, Councilor
John Michael Anyayahan
and Councilor Mark Tiu have
expressed their dismay towards the underperforming
electric cooperative and have
filed resolutions to formalize
these complaints. Concerned
officials are hoping the resolutions ultimately reach the Congress for immediate action.
For Councilor Tiu,
BATELEC II’s system and
infrastructure are outdated,
and are currently insufficient
to effectively and efficiently
electrify the municipalities
under its service. In case the
current cooperative is unable or unwilling to overhaul
and upgrade its facilities,
the municipality is open to a
Congressional intervention
to improve the service for all
Batangueños.
Additionally, House Deputy Majority Leader and ACTCIS Representative Erwin
Tulfo has also filed a resolution along with other legislators calling for the removal of
franchise from underperforming power cooperatives across
the country.
Meanwhile, according to
BATELEC II Consumer Services and Public Relations
Manager Joan Orias, the power interruptions across Batangas are due to storms and
other weather disturbances
that cause damage to power
lines and insulations. It was
recently reported that damages to five power lines across
Lipa City caused class cancellations at De La Salle Lipa.
Over 90% of Batangas,
a prime tourist destination and
highly industrialized province
in the CALABARZON region,
is serviced by BATELEC I
and BATELEC II.(ROSELLE
AQUINO