Consumers question whether NEA ratings reflect actual electric cooperative performance

Partners for Affordable and Reliable Energy (PARE) called on the National Electrification Administration (NEA) to review its electric cooperative performance evaluation system, saying it does not reflect the service consumers experience in their communities.

The call came after NEA released its 2025 Overall Performance Assessment, which classified 91 cooperatives as AAA and recognized several for improved ratings. Yet, many of these cooperatives continue to face complaints about prolonged brownouts, unreliable service, high system losses, slow power restoration during calamities, and expensive electricity rates.

Consumers are increasingly confused by the disconnect between NEA ratings and their daily experience. In several franchise areas, recurring service issues persist despite cooperatives receiving AAA, AA, Green, or Compliant classifications. PARE noted that PALECO was upgraded from AA to AAA, while MOELCI I improved from A to AA. BATELEC II and FICELCO also maintained AAA ratings. Still, consumers in these areas report problems with reliability, affordability, and performance.

“Consumers are not interested in whether their cooperative is AAA on paper. They want to know why they still face brownouts, high system losses, unreliable service, and rising costs. The ultimate measure of performance should be the actual experience of consumers, not a rating in a report,” said Nic Satur Jr., Chief Advocate Officer of PARE.

PARE explained that NEA’s evaluation system focuses on financial, operational, technical, and institutional compliance. While these indicators are important, consumers question whether the framework captures the realities faced by households, businesses, farmers, and communities that depend on electricity every day.

The group stressed that a cooperative may perform well in compliance metrics while consumers continue to suffer from poor service. This credibility gap risks undermining public confidence in the evaluation system.

“In some communities, consumers even joke that AAA no longer means excellent performance. In PALECO, frustrated consumer Tony Cabrestante mockingly called it ‘Araw Araw Ara Kuryente’ because of recurring interruptions. The remark may be humorous, but it reflects deeper frustration,” Satur added.

PARE urged NEA to strengthen its assessment system by incorporating direct consumer feedback. Future evaluations, the group said, should include satisfaction ratings, complaint resolution, restoration time during calamities, AGMA compliance, transparency measures, and other indicators that reflect consumer experience.

NEA’s mandate extends beyond evaluation. As the agency tasked with assisting cooperatives, it must ensure that technical support, financial aid, and regulatory interventions translate into real improvements in service quality and consumer welfare.

“The question consumers ask is simple: If a cooperative receives a high rating, why are they still experiencing prolonged brownouts, unreliable service, and expensive rates? Until that is answered, the evaluation system will remain in doubt,” Satur said.

PARE concluded that cooperative performance should be judged not only by compliance reports but by the affordability, reliability, and responsiveness of service delivered to consumers. “Consumers deserve a rating system that reflects reality, not just paperwork,” the group said.

Aurora Ventures Targets Funding Gaps for Women Founders in the Philippines and Emerging Markets

Aurora Ventures Targets Funding Gaps for Women Founders in the Philippines and Emerging Markets

Aurora Ventures, backed by inDrive, is a new early-stage investment program supporting high-potential women founders across emerging markets, including the Philippines as part of its focus region.

Building on five years of Aurora Tech Award insights, the initiative aims to address funding gaps faced by women-led startups by providing early-stage investment of $180,000–$250,000, alongside access to networks and operational support to help accelerate the growth of innovative businesses.

Aurora Ventures launches with backing from inDrive – a global mobility and delivery platform scaled to unicorn status across the same emerging markets the program is investing in – for its 2026 pilot year.

The launch follows the successful conclusion of the 2026 Aurora Tech Award in Santiago, Chile, where a Nigerian, Adeola Ayoola-Famasi, was named among the top 10 finalists from a record-breaking field of 3,400 applicants.

Other women founders that make up the 2026 Aurora Tech Award top 10 finalists include: Adriana Gonzalez-Tizo (Panama), Angela Acosta-Morado (Colombia), Catalina Isaza- Innmetec (Colombia), Estefania Abello- Muta (Colombia), Maria Kawas- DomestikCo (Chile), Mariana Zuliani-OncoAI (Brazil), Mercedes Bidart- Quipu (Colombia), Patricia Florencia- Pilou (Mexico), and Penny Musengi- Pesira Technologies (Kenya).

Aurora Ventures, an early-stage investment program, is designed to leverage one of the world’s largest pipelines of underserved female talent. It is built on a proprietary sourcing advantage derived from five years of Aurora Tech Award data.

With applications exploding by nearly 30 times since 2021, the Award noticed a persistent market inefficiency, fuelled by high-traction, high-growth businesses led by women in MENA, Africa, and Latin America, which are consistently undervalued and overlooked by traditional venture capital.

A new Aurora research study involving 900+ founders across 127 countries found that women founders face systemic “competence scepticism” and higher traction standards.

The program, Aurora Ventures, aims to capture the “mispricing” faced by women founders by investing $180k–$250k at the pre-seed and seed stages. The program also utilises the Aurora Tech Award’s network to identify companies before their valuations fully reflect their performance, creating a repeatable model for generating alpha in emerging markets.

Speaking on the initiative, Head of Aurora Ventures, Isabella Ghassemi-Smith, described the launch of Aurora Ventures as a disciplined investment program built on the conviction that women founders are one of the most overlooked opportunities in venture capital today.

“Over the past five years, we’ve seen a repeating pattern: exceptional women building rigorous businesses but reaching institutional capital later and on worse terms than their performance justifies,” says Ghassemi-Smith.

She stated that the success stories of the top 10  finalists underscore the calibre of startups the initiative intends to back.

Also speaking, Chief Growth Businesses Officer, inDrive, Andries Smit, explained that “We built inDrive against all odds, competing against better-funded incumbents. We see the same thing playing out with women founders in emerging markets today. Backing Aurora Ventures is not charity; it is the same bet we made on ourselves.”

The 2026 pilot program focuses on building an initial portfolio and generating the track record necessary to transition into a formal GP/LP fund structure. By providing capital, network access, and operational guidance, Aurora Ventures seeks to accelerate portfolio companies toward subsequent funding rounds on more equitable terms.

About inDrive
inDrive is a global mobility and delivery platform. The inDrive app has been downloaded over 400 million times and ranked second among mobility apps for the fourth consecutive year. inDrive operates in over 1,100 cities in 48 countries. In 2023, inDrive launched New Ventures, a venture and M&A arm. www.inDrive.com

About the Aurora Tech Award
The Aurora Tech Award, powered by inDrive, backs the boldest women tech founders in emerging markets. Aurora combines non-dilutive capital with direct access to investors, operators and a global network. Since its inception in 2021, it has acted as a catalyst for women in 127 countries to build the next category-defining companies. www.auroratechaward.com

About Aurora Ventures
Aurora Ventures is an early-stage investment program backing women founders in emerging markets – specifically those building high-traction, capital-efficient businesses that have been systematically undervalued by traditional venture capital.

Launched in 2026 with inaugural backing from inDrive, Aurora Ventures targets investments across MENA, Africa, and Latin America at the pre-seed and seed stages. The 2026 program is designed to validate the investment thesis and build an initial portfolio, forming the foundation for a formal GP/LP fund structure. www.auroratechaward.com/get-funding

Bescost Printing launches Usapang Signage Ep. 4: A quick look at signage types for businesses

Bescost Printing launches Usapang Signage Ep. 4: A quick look at signage types for businesses

Episode 4 highlights Built‑Up, Neon Flex, Acrylic Full‑Light, Premium Brass Back‑Lighted, and Ultra High‑End Front & Back‑Lighted signage—helping entrepreneurs match formats to brand, location, and budget. Bescost Printing today released Usapang Signage — Episode 4: Different Types of Signage (watch here), a concise walkthrough of the most popular storefront signage formats and how businesses can use them to boost visibility and brand impact. “Kung business owner ka, hindi mo kailangang sumigaw para maging kapansin-pansin,” said Jim Besinio, Owner, Bescost Printing. (“As a business owner, you don’t have to shout to get noticed.”) Episode 4 spotlights five in‑demand builds, with clear use cases and visual advantages: 1. Built-Up Signage (acrylic, metal, or stainless steel) Built-up letters and logos deliver a clean, professional look and excellent durability when specified correctly. For bodies and returns, aluminum resists rust and takes powder coat well. Stainless steel 304 works inland; upgrade to 316 for coastal installs to avoid tea-staining. Faces in cast acrylic give crisp edges and color; if your site faces strong winds or impact risk, consider UV-coated polycarbonate faces instead for added toughness. For lighting, front-lit or halo/backlit LEDs should be IP65–IP67 with sealed connections and waterproof drivers. Backing plates and letter backs need gaskets and proper weep holes to manage water. Mount with stainless studs and chemical anchors into sound concrete or steel, isolating dissimilar metals to prevent galvanic corrosion. 2. Neon Flex Signage LED neon flex gives the iconic neon glow with far better energy efficiency, safety, and serviceability than glass neon. For outdoor or semi-exposed areas, specify UV-stabilized silicone-jacket neon flex at IP67 with marine-grade end caps and sealed controllers housed in weatherproof enclosures. Keep runs ventilated to manage heat and mount to aluminum or ACM backers that won’t swell. In full sun, choose high-brightness, UV-resistant products to reduce yellowing; in coastal zones, rinse hardware with fresh water monthly. Neon flex shines for restaurants, salons, and nightlife—use it outside under canopies or indoors near windows to maximize lifespan. 3. Acrylic Full-Light Signage When maximum visibility is the goal, full-light signage—lightboxes or deep channel letters that evenly illuminate faces—performs day and night. Use aluminum cabinets with powder coat and interior baffles for even light. Choose UV-grade cast acrylic for color fidelity or UV-coated polycarbonate for high-impact, storm-prone sites. Design in thermal expansion gaps, vents, and weep holes; seal penetrations with neutral-cure silicone to prevent corrosion. LEDs should be high-efficiency, IP65–IP67, with drivers isolated from moisture and protected by surge devices. This format is ideal for arterial roads like EDSA or C5 where legibility and brightness cut through glare and rain. 4. Premium Brass Back-Lighted Signage Brass delivers a refined, boutique finish—perfect for hotels, clinics, and high-end retail. In the tropics, raw brass can patina quickly, especially near the coast. For outdoor elegance with less upkeep, consider PVD-coated stainless steel in a brass tone, or specify marine-grade clear coats over genuine brass with a documented maintenance plan. Back-lighting (halo) requires crisp light gaps, opaque letter bodies, and IP-rated LEDs set off the wall with 316 stainless spacers. Avoid acidic cleaners; use pH-neutral products and microfiber wiping. In coastal cities, schedule gentle freshwater rinses to keep salt from undermining the finish. 5. Ultra High-End Front & Back-Lighted Signage Front-and-back illumination marries legibility with a premium halo effect and demands careful engineering. Use aluminum or stainless bodies with double-diffused acrylic/polycarbonate faces to avoid hotspots and glare. Separate circuits for face and halo lighting enable fine control and dimming; house power supplies in ventilated, waterproof boxes with drip loops, proper grounding, and surge protection. Because these sets are often larger and heavier, confirm wall integrity, use structural mounting plates, and engineer for site wind loads. This spec is ideal for flagship facades where you want elegance from every angle, rain or shine. The episode’s goal is to help entrepreneurs quickly understand what each format looks like, the impression it creates, and where it shines—so they can choose confidently based on brand style, customer traffic, and site conditions. Whether a business needs maximum legibility for roadside visibility, a luxurious boutique feel, or an iconic glow for lifestyle appeal, Episode 4 offers a straightforward comparison to guide the decision. Watch Usapang Signage — Episode 4 (watch here) About Bescost Printing Bescost Printing is the Philippines’ premier large-format printing and signage company, known for its world-class output and people-first work culture. Based in Quezon City, Bescost serves businesses nationwide with store dress-up solutions, exterior signage, large-format printing, and full installation services. Bescost Printing does not just print — they transform businesses and build stories worth telling.

Bescost Printing Launches An All-In-One Construction and Retail Signage Solutions for PH Developers

As infrastructure development and retail expansions surge across the Philippines, managing multiple print vendors for a single project has become a major bottleneck for developers. Recognizing this industry pain point, Bescost Printing has officially positioned itself as the definitive, all-inclusive authority for construction and retail signage, launching comprehensive packages designed to cover every square inch of a project site.

From heavy-duty outdoor site assets to premium indoor mall board-ups for upcoming retail stores, Bescost Printing now provides a single, high-reliability touchpoint for project managers. These all-inclusive packages are strategically priced starting at ₱300K to ₱600K, offering a fully managed, turnkey solution that includes project billboards, fence tarpaulins, and legally compliant safety signage.

Seamless Solutions for Active Job Sites and Retail Spaces

Bescost Printing’s expanded portfolio eliminates the logistical headache of sourcing regulatory signs from one supplier and massive marketing banners from another. The company’s all-inclusive framework is built to service two distinct corporate sectors:

• Industrial & Building Construction: Full-perimeter heavy-duty fence tarpaulins, large-format architectural project billboards, and highly visible, weatherproof safety signage detailing PPE requirements and hazard warnings.

• Commercial Mall Board-Ups: High-resolution, premium indoor temporary walls and “coming soon” hoarding graphics for retail spaces undergoing renovation or preparation inside major shopping centers.

By bridging the gap between rugged, industrial outdoor printing and high-fidelity indoor retail graphics, Bescost ensures brand consistency and structural durability across all applications.

Engineered for Durability and Strict Compliance

Active construction zones present harsh conditions, including heavy dust, rain, and prolonged UV exposure. Bescost Printing addresses these challenges by using premium, industrial-grade substrates and high-quality printing services that ensure exceptionally sharp, clear output for maximum readability. Their outdoor fence tarpaulin is engineered from heavy-duty material with an option to include a durable Sintra backing for added structural rigidity, while their safety signs strictly adhere to national occupational health and safety standards. Furthermore, Bescost Printing utilizes industry-leading Konica Minolta technology for their Digital Laser Printing Services, guaranteeing vibrant colors and crisp details that hold up under close inspection.

“We saw project managers juggling three or four different print suppliers just to get a single site ready,” said Dhony San Pedro, Sales Executive at Bescost Printing. “Our goal is to be the ultimate, all-inclusive partner. Whether a developer is breaking ground on a new high-rise in Quezon City or a multinational brand is boarding up a new flagship store inside a premium mall, we deliver everything. One package, one price, zero headaches.”

Tiered Packages Designed for Seamless Procurement

To simplify budgeting and procurement, Bescost Printing’s all-inclusive packages are structured between ₱300K and ₱600K. This transparent pricing model ensures that developers, general contractors, and retail project managers can lock in their entire print infrastructure—including site surveys, fabrication, delivery, and professional installation—well ahead of project deadlines.

With rapid turnaround times optimized to meet strict construction schedules and mall opening dates, Bescost Printing reinforces its reputation as an authoritative partner in the Philippine building and retail sectors.

About Bescost Printing

Bescost Printing is the Philippines’ premier large-format printing and signage company, known for its world-class output and people-first work culture. Based in Quezon City, Bescost serves businesses nationwide with store dress-up solutions, exterior signage, large-format printing, and full installation services. Bescost Printing does not just print — they transform businesses and build stories worth telling.

Exclusive Offers and Signature Events Rolled Out – Sanya Takes Multi‑Pronged Approach to Boost Graduate Travel Market

With the smooth conclusion of Gaokao (the national college entrance examination), graduation trips have quickly become a new bright spot in the cultural and tourism market. As one of China’s leading coastal leisure destinations, Sanya is leveraging its natural resources and aligning with the consumption preferences of young travellers. Sanya has introduced a range of new cultural and tourism products, sports events and special benefits targeted at fresh graduates, while enriching its summer tourism offerings to capture both the graduation travel season and the peak summer holiday market. This graduation season, Sanya is rolling out new products focused on three areas: marine leisure, cultural study tours and  intangible cultural heritage experiences. In the marine leisure sector, offshore recreational activities have been continuously upgraded. Wuzhizhou Island has launched a brand-new flight inflatable boat experience, combining aerial sightseeing with sea travel to further enhance coastal sports. In the cultural study tour sector, Sanya has tapped into its distinctive local resources such as Sanya Yazhou Bay Science and Technology City and the Nanfan industry. The Yazhou “Nanfan + Deep-Sea” study tour route has been created, integrating scientific research and popular science, coastal scenery and regional folk customs to meet the demand for deeper travel experiences among young people. Meanwhile, Sanya continues to bring intangible cultural heritage to life through regular interactive activities such as coconut shell carving workshops and Li & Miao traditional craft classes. These efforts take traditional culture out of exhibition halls and embed it into real travel scenarios, enriching the cultural dimension of tourism. Large-scale events are also plentiful. From 18 to 20 June 2026, the China U18 Women National Team Basketball Friendly Series (International Basketball Tournament) will take place, with young athletes from four countries competing on the same stage, igniting the atmosphere of sports tourism. The Formula E Sanya returns on 20 June 2026, featuring a coastal circuit, a trendy market and guest interactions, creating an urban event that combines speed and trend. From 24 to 28 June 2026, the China Family Sailing Regatta Sanya leg will set sail, offering visitors an immersive experience on the water. The performing arts market is also a highlight, with a concert by singer Chen Chusheng on 25 July 2026 in Sanya, where coconut breezes accompany a memory-filled “graduation soundtrack” tailored for graduates. In addition, Sanya is launching special offers for the graduating class of 2026. Major scenic spots across Sanya will roll out a wide range of promotions, featuring generous benefits, broad coverage and a long validity period. Different attractions will offer varied discount schemes tailored to their unique characteristics, catering to both solo travellers and group trips. Beyond scenic-spot discounts, the Sanya Tourism Board has launched a dedicated hotel lucky-draw campaign for graduates. Candidates whose exam registration numbers contain consecutive digits “18” can enter a draw for free room vouchers. Various cultural, sports and leisure venues will also offer exclusive discounts, delivering tangible benefits to cultural and tourism consumers. Moving forward, Sanya will seize the opportunities presented by both the graduation and summer travel seasons. The city will continue to attract visitors through product innovation, stimulate consumption with favourable policies, and enhance its reputation through high-quality services. Issued by Sanya Tourism Board

Why Good Businesses Stay Invisible (And the Framework That Changes Everything)

The Real Reason Good Businesses Go Unnoticed Most businesses that struggle to grow are not struggling because their work is poor. They are struggling because the market cannot see them clearly. The right clients cannot find them. Those who do find them do not fully understand what they offer. And even when they understand, they do not yet trust enough to reach out. This is a visibility and positioning problem. Not a product problem. Not a pricing problem. And certainly not a social media problem. Yet most businesses respond to slow growth by doing more of the same things that are not working. More posts. More ads. A new website. A new logo. None of it works if the foundation is unclear.

The Real Reason Good Businesses Go Unnoticed

Most businesses that struggle to grow are not struggling because their work is poor.

They are struggling because the market cannot see them clearly.

The right clients cannot find them. Those who do find them do not fully understand what they offer. And even when they understand, they do not yet trust enough to reach out.

This is a visibility and positioning problem. Not a product problem. Not a pricing problem. And certainly not a social media problem.

Yet most businesses respond to slow growth by doing more of the same things that are not working. More posts. More ads. A new website. A new logo.

None of it works if the foundation is unclear.

Why Tactics Without Strategy Always Fail

There is a pattern that appears across industries, business sizes, and markets.

A business invests in a new website. The site looks great but inquiries do not increase. They hire a social media manager. Followers grow but leads do not. They run paid ads. Clicks come in but conversions do not.

The problem is not the website, the social media, or the ads.

The problem is that the strategy underneath all of it was never defined.

Without clear market positioning, a website is just an expensive brochure. Without a messaging framework, social media is just noise. Without brand authority, paid ads attract clicks from the wrong audience.

Strategy must come before execution. Every time.

The New Visibility Challenge: AI Search

Something significant has changed in how businesses get discovered.

More and more customers, clients, and decision makers are no longer typing queries into Google. They are asking ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, and other AI tools to recommend businesses, explain industries, and compare providers.

The businesses that appear in AI-generated answers are not always the biggest companies. They are the businesses with the strongest authority signals across the web.

Authority signals include:

Consistent brand mentions across multiple platforms and publications

Thought leadership articles and educational content that AI tools can reference

Media placements and press coverage that create credible backlinks

A clear, well-structured website that communicates expertise to both humans and algorithms

Reviews, testimonials, and third-party validation

Active and consistent presence on professional platforms like LinkedIn

Traditional SEO alone is no longer enough. Businesses that want to remain visible in the next three to five years need to build authority across multiple channels, not just optimize a website.

This is a strategic challenge. And it starts with the same foundation that every visibility problem starts with: brand clarity and positioning.

The Big Impact Visibility Framework

Six areas that every business must align to become visible, trusted, and chosen.

After working with businesses across education, solar energy, financial services, ESG, and digital platforms, a consistent pattern emerged.

Businesses that successfully grow their visibility and attract the right clients are not doing one thing better. They are doing six things in alignment.

Area 1: Research and Market Positioning

Visibility begins with understanding. Before any brand work, any content, or any campaign, a business needs to know precisely who it is trying to reach, what those people value, and where the opportunity in the market actually lies. Without this foundation, everything else is guesswork.

Area 2: Brand Strategy and Concept Development

Brand strategy is the decision about what a business stands for, who it serves, and how it wants to be perceived. It is the answer to: why should someone choose this business over every alternative? When this answer is clear, every other business decision becomes easier.

Area 3: Visual Identity and Design System

A visual identity is not decoration. It is communication. The logo, the colors, the typography, and the design system all send signals about the quality, values, and character of a business before a single word is read. Inconsistent or unclear visual identity creates distrust, even when the actual product or service is excellent.

Area 4: Overall Marketing and Content Strategy

A marketing strategy connects the brand to the market. It defines the channels, the messages, the content types, and the timing that will move an audience from awareness to inquiry. Without it, marketing activity is just activity. With it, every peso spent on marketing works harder.

Area 5: Social Media, SEO, and Digital Visibility

Being visible where your audience is looking matters. This includes search engines, social platforms, professional networks, and increasingly, AI-powered discovery tools. Visibility in these channels is not achieved by posting frequently. It is achieved by creating content with authority, consistency, and strategic intent.

Area 6: Media Visibility and Strategic PR

Media placements, thought leadership articles, and press coverage do three things simultaneously. They build credibility with human audiences. They create backlinks that improve search engine rankings. And they generate authority signals that AI tools use when recommending businesses. A business that appears in trusted media outlets is a business that the market begins to trust.

The Framework in Practice

Three businesses that applied this thinking and changed how their market sees them.

LisaTech Philippines

LisaTech arrived as a technology provider in the Philippine education sector. The products were strong. The brand was not keeping pace.

Through a complete repositioning process, new brand identity, and aligned marketing system, LisaTech evolved into one of the most visible smart classroom brands in Philippine education. The brand clarity that followed opened doors to institutional partnerships and recognition, including selection as a provider for an EU co-funded educational consortium.

Just Kinetics / WowTiger Philippines

Just Kinetics entered the Philippine market as the sole distributor of WowTiger Technology, a leading international solar panel manufacturer. The product quality was there. What was missing was a brand that could communicate confidence, credibility, and value in a competitive and price-sensitive market.

A complete brand foundation was built from the ground up: market positioning, visual identity, sales tools, and a marketing system designed to support both B2B and B2C conversations. The result was a brand that could compete not just on price, but on trust.

SG Global

S&G Global was formed through the merger of two established consulting organizations. Mergers create complexity: two different cultures, two different client bases, and two different market perceptions that need to become one.

The brand development process built a unified ESG identity from the foundation up, including positioning, visual identity, messaging architecture, and a communications system that gave the merged organization a single, credible voice in a demanding market.

About Big Impact Marketing Consulting

About Big Impact Marketing Consultancy Big Impact Marketing Consultancy is a boutique brand strategy and growth consultancy based in Makati, Philippines. The firm helps founders, business owners, and organizations strengthen their market position through brand strategy, market positioning, marketing systems, content strategy, website strategy, SEO, and visibility initiatives. Founded by strategist Chris Agliam, Big Impact specializes in helping businesses close the gap between the quality of their work and how they are perceived in the market. The consultancy works across industries including education, renewable energy, professional services, sustainability, healthcare, and growth-stage businesses preparing for expansion. Services include brand strategy, research and positioning, visual identity development, marketing planning, website strategy, SEO, content development, media visibility, and fractional marketing leadership. For more information, visit https://bigimpactstrategy.com.
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