Siquijor: Siquijor Island Power Cooperative (SIPCOR), the main power supplier in the province, has committed to improving the power situation within the week, according to Department of Energy (DOE) Undersecretary and incoming officer in charge Sharon Garin. This announcement comes amid ongoing power outages that have led to the province being placed under a state of calamity.
According to Philippines News Agency, Garin confirmed during a briefing at the DOE office in Taguig City that SIPCOR will address the malfunctioning generator sets. "There was a commitment from SIPCOR themselves that they will fix the gensets," she said. At the time of reporting, only five out of the nine generator sets were operational, which is still under evaluation.
Garin further stated that two new generator sets had arrived in Siquijor, with hopes that they will be connected to the system by the weekend. "We are expecting SIPCOR to have their two gensets arrive. I think one arrived yesterday and another one arrived today," she added. Government agencies, including the National Electrification Administration (NEA), are working together to resolve the power crisis.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. visited Siquijor to personally assess the situation. He ordered the deployment of at least two emergency generator sets from Palawan to aid in the crisis. "We'd like to thank also the President for really going there and checking the gensets," Garin noted, emphasizing presidential involvement in ensuring SIPCOR delivers on its commitments.
In related energy developments, the Department of Energy expressed gratitude to Congress for ratifying the Bicameral Conference Committee Report on the Philippine National Nuclear Energy Safety Act, which establishes the Philippine Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (PhilATOM). Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla highlighted the significance of the bill's passage after 18 years, marking a historic turning point for the country's energy infrastructure.
Garin elaborated on the importance of PhilATOM, stating that it provides the legal and institutional framework necessary for the development of nuclear energy infrastructure, ensuring safety and security. The act, approved on the Senate's third reading in June 2025, lays the groundwork for potential nuclear energy development by 2032, as outlined in the Philippine Energy Plan.
She clarified that PhilATOM's establishment does not signal the immediate construction of a nuclear power plant. The country must follow a rigorous process adhering to International Atomic Energy Agency guidelines before pursuing nuclear energy infrastructure.
