Siquijor: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has mandated the transfer of at least two emergency generator sets from Palawan to Siquijor to mitigate the ongoing power crisis in the province. The directive came following his assessment of the Siquijor Island Power Corporation (SIPCOR) power plant in Siquijor town.
According to Philippines News Agency, the President noted that the power supply issues stem from the deteriorating state of the current power plant. Marcos stated that the gensets are expected to arrive either tonight or tomorrow. "Once that's installed and running, the supply will be sufficient. But this is a temporary solution," he clarified, emphasizing the need for a temporary fix while a long-term strategy is developed.
President Marcos has set a six-month deadline to implement a short-term solution. By then, he expects new arrangements to be in place to avoid relying on emergency gensets. He stressed the importance of finding permanent solutions to the power outages in Siquijor to meet the province's increasing electricity demands.
The President urged SIPCOR to fulfill its commitments and address the power crisis. "There are so many shortcomings. We have to repair the damage caused by the collapse of the power supply, and that is the schedule we have given ourselves-six months. Six months from now, we will guarantee that there will be a long-term solution," he stated.
In response to questions about considering alternative power suppliers, Marcos mentioned that all options are being evaluated. He noted that a framework has been developed to prioritize necessary actions and promised more details once plans are finalized.
Marcos expressed concern for the residents of Siquijor, who are unable to conduct their daily activities due to the power shortages. He highlighted the impact on Siquijor's growth as a tourist destination, noting that the lack of power supply hinders development opportunities.
The President has also ordered a comprehensive investigation into SIPCOR in light of the persistent power supply challenges faced by Siquijor.
