BIZ BUZZ: Meralco expansion to Batangas pushed

Manila Electric Co., the country’s largest private electric distribution utility company, already has its hands full with its franchise area that covers 39 cities and 72 municipalities.

But looks like it will have to get ready to take on more responsibility as the Batangas Forum for Good Governance and Development Association Inc. has strongly backed the proposed joint venture between the Manuel V. Pangilinan-led company and Batangas II Electric Cooperative (BATELEC II).

BATELEC distributes electricity in the cities of Lipa and Tanauan, and 15 municipalities, namely: Alitagtag, Balete, Cuenca, Laurel, Lobo, Malvar, Mataas na Kahoy, Mabini, Padre Garcia, Rosario, San Jose, San Juan, Talisay, Taysan and Tingloy.

The Batangas Forum formalized the group’s full endorsement of the joint venture through a resolution dated Oct. 29 and signed by its chair, president, vice president and board of trustees.

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Composed of business and civic leaders, professionals and Batangas residents, the group has been flagging frequent power problems that disrupt business operations and stifle growth in the province, thus their recommendation for the joint venture to push through.

Citing Meralco’s financial and operational track record, the group believes that the distribution utility can bring in the systems, investments and operational discipline needed to deliver more dependable service to local enterprises and communities—as it has done in Batangas City, Sto. Tomas City and San Pascual.