President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday personally oversaw efforts to address the severe power crisis plaguing the island province of Siquijor, announcing the immediate deployment of two large power generator sets from Palawan to provide temporary relief to residents.
The President’s visit underscored the gravity of the situation, with Siquijor experiencing daily power blackouts lasting several hours, significantly impacting daily life and the province’s burgeoning tourism industry.
“We are here because our countrymen in Siquijor are facing a huge problem due to the lack of electricity supply,” President Marcos stated during a media interview following his inspection of the Siquijor Diesel Power Plant in Candanay Sur. He noted that some areas are receiving power for only two to five hours a day, lamenting that “the victims of this situation are the ordinary people of Siquijor.”
To mitigate the immediate crisis, President Marcos confirmed the dispatch of “two large generator sets from Palawan,” expected to arrive in Siquijor on Wednesday night and Thursday. “Once those are connected and operational, the supply will be complete. But this is a temporary solution,” he emphasized.
Looking beyond the immediate fix, President Marcos issued a directive to the Siquijor Island Power Corp. (SIPCOR), which operates the Siquijor Diesel Power Plant, and other concerned government agencies to find a permanent resolution to the island-wide power crisis within six months. “By six months from now, we will then impose whatever new arrangements that we have to do so that six months from now, we do not have to resort to the emergency gensets,” he declared.
The President stressed SIPCOR’s obligation to provide a consistent power supply to residents through the local electric cooperative. In addition to the generator sets, other short-term measures include ensuring adequate fuel supply, repairing existing generators, and improving transmission lines.
Addressing the public’s call for a new power provider, President Marcos affirmed, “Everything is on the table. We just have to examine what is the best solution. We have some very good ideas.”
The deployment of these emergency generators and the President’s commitment to a six-month deadline offer a beacon of hope for Siquijor residents who have endured prolonged power disruptions.
