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GENERAL SANTOS CITY — The city council is united in demanding accountability from South Cotabato II Electric Cooperative...
04/06/2026

GENERAL SANTOS CITY — The city council is united in demanding accountability from South Cotabato II Electric Cooperative Inc. (SOCOTECO II) amid ongoing utility controversies, Vice Mayor Jose Edmar J. Yumang said.

Speaking on the Bantay Kuryente video podcast, Yumang highlighted the local legislature’s probe into the cooperative's management, finances, energy suppliers, and regulators.

"Nagkakaisa kami kasama ang lahat ng miyembro ng konseho pagdating sa transparency and accountability," Yumang said.

("We are united, along with all members of the council, when it comes to transparency and accountability.")

Over the past months, the council conducted inquiries with SOCOTECO II officials, Ignite Power, Meralco, the National Electrification Administration, and even consumer advocacy group Bantay Kuryente Consumer Watch Inc.

Yumang emphasized that these legislative hearings exposed critical operational details to member-consumer-owners (MCOs).

"Kung wala po ang konseho ng lungsod ng Heneral Santos hindi ito malalaman ng mga MCOs," Yumang said.

("If not for the city council of General Santos, the MCOs would not have known about this.")

The vice mayor insisted that consumers deserve accurate data to make informed decisions.

"Napag kasunduan ng konseho na dapat imbestigahan sila. Dapat managot ang dapat managot," he added.

("The council agreed that they must be investigated. Those who are liable must be held accountable.")

---

(Editor's Note: The full interview is available in the comments section below.)

GENERAL SANTOS CITY — Consumer advocates have filed a lawsuit in the Regional Trial Court here seeking to block a propos...
03/06/2026

GENERAL SANTOS CITY — Consumer advocates have filed a lawsuit in the Regional Trial Court here seeking to block a proposed joint venture agreement between the South Cotabato II Electric Cooperative and Ignite Power.

The petition asks the court to issue a temporary restraining order and declare several board-approved resolutions null and void.

Atty. Virgilio Alconera, one of the complainants in the case, alleged that the cooperative's board of directors passed the measures under undue pressure from the National Electrification Administration.

Alconera characterized the contested resolutions as "fruits of the poisonous tree."

“Those resolutions of the Board of Directors are illegal because they violate the vested rights of the MCOs,” he said.

The legal challenge escalates months of tension over the energy pact. Member-consumers, community groups, and local stakeholders have criticized the deal, citing concerns over corporate governance, transparency, and the future control of the utility.

Alconera and his group are utilizing the legal dispute to advocate for converting SOCOTECO II into a cooperative registered under the Cooperative Development Authority.

He noted that a court victory would not immediately resolve the utility's long-term issues, stating that member-consumers must still approve any structural change through a formal referendum.

The cooperative faces additional pressure from local lawmakers. The General Santos City Council recently approved an urgent resolution authorizing the local legislature to pursue separate legal and administrative actions against the proposed partnership.

Representatives for SOCOTECO II and Ignite Power did not immediately comment on the filing.

GENERAL SANTOS CITY — First Lady Marie Louise “Liza” Araneta-Marcos personally turned over a mobile hospital bus and lab...
02/06/2026

GENERAL SANTOS CITY — First Lady Marie Louise “Liza” Araneta-Marcos personally turned over a mobile hospital bus and laboratory van to the local government here on Tuesday to boost community healthcare access.

The specialized medical vehicles were donated by the Zenith International Group of Companies. The mobile units are equipped with diagnostic equipment designed to bring medical services directly to the city’s barangays.

During the turnover ceremony, the First Lady joined local officials to inspect the facility and review the clinical services it will provide to residents.

Local authorities stated that the mobile laboratory will accelerate the delivery of primary healthcare and medical screenings to grassroots communities, particularly targeting vulnerable sectors.

The deployment of the vehicle aims to reduce out-of-pocket costs for residents who lack immediate access to stationary diagnostic centers.

The local government confirmed that operational planning is underway to integrate the mobile hospital into the city’s existing public health outreach programs.

| source: LGU GenSan: TATAK Heneral

MANILA — Sarangani Rep. Steve Chiongbian Solon announced Monday that a congressional bicameral panel has approved key am...
02/06/2026

MANILA — Sarangani Rep. Steve Chiongbian Solon announced Monday that a congressional bicameral panel has approved key amendments to the country's free college tuition law to prioritize the poorest students for government subsidies.

Writing on his official page, Solon said the Senate and House committees on higher and technical education resolved conflicting provisions of their respective bills during a June 1 meeting at the Senate.

The consolidated measure amends the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, or Republic Act 10931.

The revisions guarantee Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) grants for all high school graduates from Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) families who enroll in government-recognized higher education or technical-vocational institutions.

The amendments address structural gaps exposed by the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II). According to EDCOM II data, the share of TES grants given to the poorest households fell from 71 percent in 2018 to 23 percent in 2022.

Additionally, only 1.23 percent of graduating high school seniors from 4Ps families accessed the subsidy due to out-of-pocket expenses.

The reconciled bill now moves to both chambers of Congress for ratification before being transmitted to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for his signature.

KORONADAL CITY — The Diocese of Marbel has strongly condemned the local electric cooperative's conditional approval of a...
02/06/2026

KORONADAL CITY — The Diocese of Marbel has strongly condemned the local electric cooperative's conditional approval of a joint venture agreement, citing an absolute lack of transparency and community consultation.

In an official pastoral statement signed May 29, Marbel Bishop Cerilo Casicas criticized the South Cotabato II Electric Cooperative (SOCOTECO II) board of directors for advancing a partnership with IGNITE Power.

"This decision was made without consultation, without transparency, and without regard for the common good," Casicas said. "It benefits only a privileged few while disregarding the voices of the community."

The prelate denounced "closed-door meetings" and "questionable evaluation procedures," emphasizing that electricity is a vital social service affecting homes, schools, and hospitals rather than a mere business matter.

Casicas called on government officials, cooperative leaders, and advocacy groups to implement accessible information sessions and public dialogues.

He demanded that member-consumer-owners be permitted to review verified data and ask questions freely to restore public trust.

The bishop also urged the public to remain vigilant, avoid misinformation, and engage in respectful dialogue to protect the future of the cooperative.

𝗟𝗢𝗢𝗞 | The Diocese of Marbel has issued a strong condemnation against the South Cotabato II Electric Cooperative (SOCOTE...
02/06/2026

𝗟𝗢𝗢𝗞 | The Diocese of Marbel has issued a strong condemnation against the South Cotabato II Electric Cooperative (SOCOTECO II) board of directors following its conditional approval of a joint venture agreement with IGNITE Power.

In a pastoral statement signed May 29, Bishop Cerilo Casicas denounced "closed-door meetings" and "non-transparent processes," stating the decision bypassed proper consultation with member-consumer-owners.

Casicas emphasized that electricity is a vital social service rather than a mere business matter, calling on local leaders, management, and government officials to conduct public dialogues and restore public trust through open, verifiable data.

02/06/2026

Learn more about the Philippine Development Plan for Culture and the Arts (PDP-CA) 2024–2029!

The PDP-CA 2024-2029 marks a historic milestone in positioning culture and the arts at the heart of sustainable national development.

Officially adopted through Memorandum Circular No. 74, s. 2024, the PDP-CA serves as the national blueprint for strengthening Filipino identity, empowering creativity, supporting inclusive communities, and advancing culture-responsive governance.

Anchored on the vision of “A creative and thriving Philippines fueled by a vibrant culture and the arts,” the Plan affirms the vital role of heritage, creativity, and cultural expression in building a resilient and future-ready nation.

Learn more about the PDP-CA 2024–2029 and access the full document here:https://ncca.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/PDP-CA-Plan-Document-HQ.pdf

GENERAL SANTOS CITY — Three China-based firms are planning to establish a coconut processing facility in General Santos ...
02/06/2026

GENERAL SANTOS CITY — Three China-based firms are planning to establish a coconut processing facility in General Santos City, marking the culmination of a year-long site feasibility study in the Philippines.

DTI Secretary Cristina A. Roque announced the development following a May 23 meeting Suzhou, China organized by the Philippine Trade and Investment Center-Shanghai.

Roque met with Larry Chan of Liwayway China, Roy Yip, and Allen Wang to finalize the partnership with Joyvio Freshcall.

Once operational, the General Santos City plant will manufacture food and non-food coconut products for export to China, leveraging the distribution networks of the participating enterprises.

Chan stated that the investment group is also seeking to source other Philippine agricultural commodities—including purple yam, pili nuts, and specialty coffee—for the Chinese consumer market.

The venture brings together major regional agricultural players. Liwayway Holdings Company Limited, famous for its Oishi brand, operates extensively across Southeast Asia and China.

Joyvio Freshcall, a subsidiary of Legend Holdings, manages fruit and seafood supply chains, while Shanghai-based AGL Group operates as a primary importer and distributor of green coffee beans.

(photo courtesy of DTI Bureau of International Trade Relations)

02/06/2026

"Dapat tayong mga MCO concerned tayo kung bakit may failure of governance on the part of the Board of Directors." - Br. Manuel de Leon, FMS.

(Watch the full video link in comments)

| via Bantay Kuryente Consumer Watch, Inc.

GENERAL SANTOS CITY — Multiple local government units across the SOCCSKSARGEN region are operating substandard slaughter...
02/06/2026

GENERAL SANTOS CITY — Multiple local government units across the SOCCSKSARGEN region are operating substandard slaughterhouses that fail to meet national regulatory requirements, agriculture officials warned.

In General Santos City, the public slaughterhouse in Barangay Mabuhay remains unaccredited by the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS), legally restricting its meat sales to within city limits.

"Hindi pa natin na-accredit yan to Double A. Pero meron tayo dito Double A sa mga private slaughterhouses natin," said Dr. Bernardo Bulawan, City Veterinary Office meat inspection division head.

("We have not yet accredited that to Double A status. But we do have Double A private slaughterhouses here.")

Bulawan stated that the city is processing documents to operationalize a compliant facility in Barangay Sinawal.

"Yan ang challenge namin ngayon, yung sa local natin dapat ma-accredit na yan para magiging standard," he added.

("That is our challenge right now, our local facility must be accredited to become standard.")

The issue extends across Region 12, particularly in Sultan Kudarat province, where several towns lack compliant facilities or operate without abattoirs.

Only 11 regional municipalities possess functional slaughterhouses, and many fall below national standards, said Jocelyn Romansanta, Regional Agriculture and Fishery Council focal person.

The Department of Agriculture stated that upgrading these facilities is critical to enforcing food safety, upgrading regional sanitation protocols, and preventing the sale of illegal "hot meat" or double-dead livestock.

| source: GMA Regional TV

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