Siquijor in a state of calamity due to crippling power woes
SAN JUAN, SIQUIJOR—A state of calamity has been declared in Siquijor to address its worsening power crisis.
The declaration of a state of calamity was unanimously approved by the Siquijor Provincial Board (PB) during its regular session on June 3, Gov. Jake Villa said Thursday.
The approved resolution empowers the provincial government to access its Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund, specifically the Quick Response Fund, to implement immediate interventions.
PB Member Brylle Deeiah Tumarong-Quio, in a Facebook post, said the PB approved the declaration of a state of calamity because the ongoing island-wide power crisis—with electricity only available from two to five hours in many areas—has adversely impacted the community, public services and the local economy.
The declaration was recommended by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council during its meeting presided over by Villa on May 29, following widespread and prolonged power outages attributed to the breakdown of several power generation units operated by the Siquijor Island Power Corp. (Sipcor).
The situation has led to a critical shortfall of approximately 2,250 kilowatts, or about 2.2 megawatts out of the total demand of 9.4 megawatts, severely affecting electricity supply across the province, the PB resolution read.
Severe setbacks
Since May 13, residents and establishments have faced brownouts lasting up to five hours each rotation. In some areas in the province, consumers only receive from two to five hours of electricity each day.
The interruptions have paralyzed essential services including water distribution, health care delivery, education, communication and sanitation, and have caused job losses among online workers, disruptions to tourism, and severe economic setbacks.
Villa said one of the reasons behind the power supply problem is the malfunctioning of all six generators of Sipcor, the island’s power provider.
Sipcor currently has a 20-year power supply agreement with the local power cooperative, Province of Siquijor Electric Cooperative Inc. (Prosielco).
With the declaration of the state of calamity, the province can now access its calamity fund more easily to address the problem.
Villa said among the planned solutions is the rental of two generators from Cebu, each with a capacity of 2 MW—enough to help resolve the power crisis.
Sipcor has yet to release an official statement.
Prosielco, in a May 29 Facebook post, said it “chose to focus on finding solutions to the impending problem rather than respond to criticisms.”
Canceled bookings
“Throughout the month-long and still ongoing power interruptions, we exercised discretion and upheld our respectful and cooperative relationship with Sipcor as we worked to address the power crisis affecting our province,” it said.
Arthur Chan, representing the Siquijor Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said they backed the declaration of the state of calamity as the power outages have affected Siquijor’s tourism industry and local businesses, citing mass booking cancellations, refund demands, and operational challenges faced by resorts and commercial establishments.
He said the unstable power supply is not good for a province heavily reliant on tourism and service-oriented enterprises.
A hostel owner in San Juan town, known for its white sandy beaches, said the power outages had severely affected their business.
Tourist Frieda Schulz, 32, from Hessen, Germany, said the power shortage has impacted her stay in the province.
“The electricity went off at least five times. Each time, it stayed off for one to two hours,” she said. “There is no electricity, no air-conditioned room and worst of all, there is no internet.”
