Manila, Philippines — As Siquijor continues to grapple with intermittent power supply, non-government organization ILAW Pilipinas (ILAW) continues to push for concrete intervention to address the island’s continued struggle for energy stability.
According to Siquijor Governor Jake Vincent Villa, nearly all government-owned buildings in the island — including the provincial capitol and Siquijor Provincial Hospital — are now powered by solar panels. This helps significantly reduce the buildings’ dependence on the main electrical grid.
The transformation aligns with the mandate from the Department of Energy (DOE), which states that government entities must integrate renewable energy systems into their facilities to promote sustainability and reduce operational costs. The policy also encourages public institutions to adopt energy-efficient technologies under the Government Energy Management Program and the Philippine Energy Labeling Program.
The installation of solar panels in government buildings helps decongest grid demand, freeing up much-needed power supply for households and private establishments across the island. Pres. Bongbong Marcos’ (PBBM) visit to Siquijor last year helped raise awareness regarding the island’s power crisis. In September 2025, PBBM also led the ceremonial switch of the Province of Siquijor Electric Cooperative’s (PROSIELCO) 17.8-megawatt New Siquijor Power Plants.
Governor Villa noted that these efforts have helped improve the island’s power supply conditions, however its long-term energy stability remains at risk. The DOE has earlier warned that the Visayas region may experience low energy reserves as the Summer months approach, brought on by ongoing repairs and maintenance of several power plants.
ILAW’s focus group discussion with members of the business sector in Siquijor revealed that the island’s tourist economy is buckling under the high costs of energy instability. A major pain point raised by the participants is the heavy financial burden shifted onto high-consuming businesses.
High energy consumption from establishments like resorts often results in low voltage for neighboring households. To counter this, the Province of Siquijor Electric Cooperative (PROSIELCO) strictly evaluates power usage and requires businesses that exceed specific metrics to purchase their own transformers. This mandate forces business owners to absorb capital expenses, with operational electricity costs skyrocketing between PHP 40,000 to PHP 60,000 monthly.
While many resorts and business establishments have invested in backup diesel generators and solar setups to maintain their daily operations, these workarounds come with their own set of complications. At resorts, foreign guests complain about the disruptive noise of generators at night, while solar panels lose their efficiency during typhoon season.
The power interruptions affect water supply, as water pumps cease to function, as well as telecommunications. Ultimately, this translates to financial loss for Siquijor’s local economy. Blackouts cause booking cancellations from tourists, forcing establishments to issue refunds. Similarly, local residents’ daily work and productivity are halted by power interruptions. “We lose money because of the additional costs and have to suffer from inconvenience,” claimed a participant.
ILAW Youth Convenor Francine Pradez states, “The reliance on localized, band-aid solutions highlights a structural failure in Siquijor’s energy infrastructure that locals should not have to shoulder.” She adds, “The island’s local government and private sector are doing everything they can, exhausting their own resources to keep Siquijor’s economy afloat despite an unreliable energy resource, but resilience should not be an excuse for inaction.”
As the peak summer tourism season looms, bringing with it a massive surge in energy demand, the urgency for a resilient power resource in Siquijor has never been higher. One participant in the focus group discussion stated, “For tourism to really flourish and grow, we need to have a stable power , water, and telecommunication.”
Pradez echoes this, saying, “To truly sustain the island’s economic momentum and protect its residents, there is a critical need to develop long-term solutions to support Siquijor’s energy supply.”
Tungkol sa ILAW
ILAW is a non-profit grassroots organization aiming to be the voice of consumers’ rights for just, equitable, and affordable electricity nationwide. ILAW is at the forefront of amplifying vital issues on power in the Philippines.
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