GENERAL SANTOS CITY — Calls for full transparency are mounting against the South Cotabato Electric Cooperative II (SOCOTECO II) as concerns over its financial health and management continue to circulate among member-consumers and local stakeholders.
In a recent radio interview, prominent businessman Manny Yaphuckon urged the electric cooperative to come clean about its current situation to regain public trust and confidence.
“Even up to this very moment, dili gyud moangkon ang SOCOTECO nga naa sila problema. It is impossible to solve a problem unless we know what the problem is,” Yaphuckon said.
“Sa akong pagtan-aw, ang No. 1 problem gyud nila ang ginatawag nako nga financial challenge. Wala gyud sila’y kuwarta,” he added.
Yaphuckon stressed that transparency is crucial for SOCOTECO II’s recovery, pointing out that consumers deserve to know how their cooperative is being managed.
He further disclosed that three major power companies — MORE Electric and Power Corp. (MORE Power), Manila Electric Company (Meralco), and Aboitiz Power Corporation (AboitizPower) — have reportedly shown interest in helping SOCOTECO II address its financial difficulties and improve its services.
“Kung tulo ka buok dagkong kompaniya nag-abot sa GenSan, nangutana, then something must be cooking up sa SOCOTECO nato,” Yaphuckon remarked, hinting at possible upcoming developments within the cooperative.
SOCOTECO II, which serves General Santos City and parts of Sarangani and South Cotabato, has been the subject of scrutiny in recent months due to reports of operational and financial challenges.
In an earlier statement, the cooperative said it had already implemented “improvement initiatives” and remained “strategically focused on restoring operational performance.”
Despite these assurances, Yaphuckon maintained that SOCOTECO II must engage openly with its members.
“As member-consumers sa SOCOTECO, we should know what is happening sa SOCOTECO gyud,” he emphasized.
Calls for accountability and transparency continue to grow as consumers await clearer updates from the cooperative regarding its financial standing, ongoing reforms, and future plans.
