President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said he is open to the idea of bringing in a new electricity provider for Siquijor as the province grapples with a prolonged power crisis.
Speaking to reporters in an ambush interview on Wednesday, Marcos was asked whether it would be possible to replace the current electricity provider. This follows his recent directive to investigate the operations of the Siquijor Island Power Cooperative (SIPCOR).
“Everything is on the table. We just have to examine what is the best solution. We have some very good ideas na. The NEA administrator is here and he has put out a framework on what we need to attend to, what would come first, etc. We will give you more detail after the detailed planning for that,” the President said.
Marcos explained that the national government has a six-month window to roll out temporary solutions, including deploying generator sets. During this time, efforts will focus on restoring the damaged power infrastructure.
“We have given ourselves a deadline of six months for the short-term solution. 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 emergency genset,” he added.
He also stressed that SIPCOR must fulfill its responsibility to provide a steady power supply to the province.
To help ease the crisis, Marcos announced that two generator sets from Palawan will soon be delivered to Siquijor to temporarily meet residents’ electricity needs.
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Siquijor has declared a state of calamity due to the worsening energy situation. This move enables the provincial government to tap into its Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (LDRRMF), particularly the Quick Response Fund (QRF), to implement immediate relief measures.
During his visit to the province, Marcos inspected the SIPCOR power facility as part of efforts to fast-track the response to recurring power outages.
Meanwhile, National Electrification Administration (NEA) Administrator Antonio Mariano Almeda assured Siquijor residents that steps are being taken to resolve the power crisis. He has directed the operation of the two generator sets while SIPCOR continues to repair its three malfunctioning generating units.
