Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said his administration's moves to take over failing utilities are not driven by personal rifts with powerful business families, stressing that ensuring reliable water and electricity supply remains the priority.

According to Philippines News Agency, in his latest podcast episode aired Tuesday, Marcos addressed the government's takeover of Siquijor Island Power Corporation (Sipcor), a Villar-owned power firm. He said the decision was made to immediately restore electricity service after prolonged outages. 'Hindi na tayo puwedeng mag-antay. Kawawa ang tao eh. So sabi ko, kunin na natin, tayo na magpatakbo,' Marcos said, adding that the National Electrification Administration (NEA) and Department of Energy (DOE) have since stabilized power supply in the province.

On water supply issues linked to another Villar-owned firm, PrimeWater, Marcos said politics should not stand in the way of fixing public services. 'Nothing is personal. They are friends of mine and I respect them. But we have to fix the problem. People have to have electricity, people have to have water. So whatever the reason is, let's fix it. Help me fix it,' he said.

Marcos was referring to former senators Manny and Cynthia Villar, whose two children are incumbent Senators Mark Villar and Camille Villar. The President noted that some electric cooperatives nationwide are also underperforming due to politicized management. 'The electric cooperatives were created with the consumers as members. but when politics came in, the competence level dropped,' he said.

Marcos underscored the urgency of reforms, pointing to Metro Manila areas where water remains unavailable for 12 hours a day. 'Kung anong kailangan kong gawin para magkaroon ng kuryente at tubig, gagawin ko (Whatever I need to do to have electricity and water, I will do it),' he said.