The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday declared that Siquijor’s power supply is now sufficient, less than two months after he vowed in his 4th State of the Nation Address (SONA) to resolve the island’s chronic power shortage.
Marcos led the ceremonial switch-on of the 17.8-megawatt Siquijor Power Plants at the Province of Siquijor Electric Cooperative (PROSIELCO) facility in Larena town. He said the new capacity more than doubles the island’s demand of around nine megawatts.
“Dito sa ating pagbalik dito sa Siquijor ay maga-garantiya na natin na ang kuryente dito ay sobra-sobra na ang supply… kaya’t hindi na talaga magkukulang,” Marcos said.
“Ngayon, malakas na ang loob ko na i-proclaim na buo na ang supply ng kuryente dito sa Siquijor,” he added.
For years, residents and businesses on the island endured frequent blackouts lasting up to 10 hours. A June 11 inspection at the Siquijor Island Power Corporation (SIPCOR) earlier found its facilities inadequate to meet the island’s needs, prompting the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to revoke SIPCOR’s Provisional Authority to Operate.
To address the looming crisis, Malacañang said the government fast-tracked the development of the Siquijor Diesel Power Plants Project, which now has a total installed capacity of 17.8 MW, a dependable capacity of 12.25 MW, and an N-1 reserve of 1.7 MW to provide backup power if one unit goes offline.
At least three new diesel plants were constructed and commissioned in record time in the towns of Larena, Siquijor, and Lazi.
“Hopefully, we keep on improving at kakaunti na ang blackout dito at gumanda sana ang hanapbuhay sa Siquijor. Wala pong problema sa supply ngayong kasi ang Siquijor ay nine or 10 megawatts ang peak demand,” Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said in an interview.
In his July SONA, Marcos ordered the Department of Energy, the National Electrification Administration, and the ERC to resolve recurring power interruptions in Siquijor and ensure stable supply by the end of 2025.