GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Philippines — A peaceful prayer rally held at Plaza Heneral Santos on August 29 brought together concerned Member-Consumer-Owners (MCOs) and supporters calling for greater transparency, accountability and truth in connection with the proposed Conditional Joint Venture Agreement (JVA) between the South Cotabato II Electric Cooperative, Inc. (SOCOTECO II) and Ignite Power and Energy Corporation (IGNITE).
Carrying the theme “Kahayag sa Tanan: Prayer Rally for Transparency, Accountability, and Truth” and the call “Our Cooperative. Our Future. Our Voice,” the gathering was framed by organizers as a peaceful collective call for responsible discussion and public accountability rather than a protest intended to create conflict.
The organizers said the prayer rally was meant to encourage MCOs and the broader community to remain informed and vigilant as the proposed JVA plebiscite continues to generate questions and concerns.
“This is a time for all of us to be informed, be vigilant, and make our voices heard,” the organizers said, emphasizing that the future of the cooperative should concern not only a select group but all of its member-consumer-owners.
They urged participants to listen, learn, ask questions and seek clarity regarding the process surrounding the proposed agreement, particularly on whether the process is transparent, legitimate, accountable and responsive to the interests of MCOs.
‘A stand today, a legacy for tomorrow’
In his welcome address, Rev. Fr. Rey Mission underscored the broader significance of the gathering, saying the participants’ stand should extend beyond their immediate interests and consider the generations that will inherit the consequences of decisions being made today.
The rally, he stressed, was anchored on justice, truth and accountability.
The message resonated with the event’s central theme: that decisions concerning the cooperative’s assets, governance and future should be examined not only from the perspective of the present but also in terms of their long-term implications.
“We do it for the future generations,” was among the messages highlighted during the gathering.
Organizers likewise emphasized that their position should not be interpreted as opposition to development, modernization or private-sector participation.
‘Dili kami supak sa kalamboan’
During the rally, Ma’am Thelma stressed that the call surrounding the JVA is not against modernization, innovation, production or partnerships with private investors.
Rather, the concern, according to the message delivered during the gathering, is for development that is equitable, strengthens communities and delivers sustainable benefits to all stakeholders.
The position was summed up in the statement:
“Dili kami supak sa kalamboan.”
The organizers said what they seek is development that is just, modernization that is inclusive, and progress in which the welfare and interests of the people remain central.
The discussion reflects the larger questions being raised by MCOs about how the proposed partnership would affect the cooperative, its assets and its members over the long term.
‘Ang gusto lang namin ay mailabas ang katotohanan’
Brother Manny, meanwhile, reminded MCOs that they have a role in the cooperative’s processes and a right to seek information and understand the issues affecting their organization.
“The desire is simply to bring the truth to light,” was the central message attributed to him.
He encouraged MCOs to care, participate, engage and show interest in matters involving the cooperative, stressing that its future is not merely an issue for a few individuals.
Participants were urged to understand the process, take part in discussions and continue asking questions about the proposed JVA.
The appeal was also accompanied by a call against silence and indifference: “Huwag maging tahimik. Maging mapagmatyag. Maging bahagi ng usapan.”
Congressional investigation sought
The prayer rally came just days after South Cotabato Congresswoman Shirlyn Bañas-Nograles announced that she had formally filed a resolution in the House of Representatives seeking a congressional inquiry into the proposed agreement.
According to Bañas-Nograles, the filing on August 27, 2026 was made in response to calls from SOCOTECO II’s Member-Consumer-Owners.
The measure, identified as House Resolution No. 1401, calls on the House Committee on Energy to conduct an inquiry in aid of legislation into the Conditional Joint Venture Agreement entered into by SOCOTECO II and IGNITE.
The resolution specifically seeks to determine whether the agreement complies with existing laws, rules and regulations and to examine issues involving transparency, accountability and the stewardship of cooperative assets.
It also seeks to protect the rights and economic interests of both the government and the MCOs, while strengthening the governance and regulation of joint venture arrangements involving electric cooperatives.
The filing places the SOCOTECO II-IGNITE agreement under a broader legislative lens as concerns surrounding the proposed partnership continue to be raised by cooperative members.
Questions over the cooperative’s future
The developments have elevated the issue from an internal cooperative discussion to a matter drawing public and congressional attention.
At the heart of the debate is the proposed Conditional Joint Venture Agreement between SOCOTECO II and IGNITE and the implications it may have for the cooperative, its assets and its member-consumer-owners.
While supporters of the proposed arrangement may view private-sector participation and modernization as potential avenues for improving operations and strengthening the cooperative, concerned MCOs have emphasized the need for sufficient information, transparency and accountability before they make decisions regarding the agreement.
The prayer rally organizers maintained that their call is not against progress itself, but for a process in which MCOs are adequately informed and their interests are given proper consideration.
The congressional resolution filed by Bañas-Nograles likewise underscores the need to examine compliance with applicable laws and regulations and the prudent stewardship of cooperative assets.
As the proposed JVA plebiscite moves forward, the competing demands for modernization and accountability are likely to remain central to the public discussion.
For the participants of the August 29 prayer rally, however, the message was clear: the future of the cooperative must be discussed openly, examined carefully and decided with the interests of its member-consumer-owners and future generations in mind.
“Our cooperative. Our future. Our voice.”