The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) has called for a long-term solution to power supply issues in Boracay after an outage left the island without electricity from September 13 until Monday afternoon (Sept 15), as reported by the Philippine News Agency.

The Aklan Electric Cooperative reported that power was fully restored at 12:53 p.m. when all feeders covering Caticlan and Boracay Substation were energized. Business groups, however, warned that the disruption highlighted the urgent need for stable electricity in one of the country’s top tourist destinations.

PCCI Western Visayas governor and incoming national vice president Jobert Peñaflorida said the blackout caused major difficulties for enterprises, especially for small businesses. “It has a huge impact, especially at this time when the situation in Boracay is very challenging, including our micro, small and medium enterprises,” he said.

He added that the island’s global reputation is at stake if power problems persist. “It is not okay for Boracay to be marketed as a world-class destination, but it has no stable power,” Peñaflorida stressed. “At the end of the day, Boracay is a prime destination and is a huge economic driver for Region 6.”

The Department of Tourism (DOT) also voiced concern, stating that the “disruption not only impacts daily life but also threatens the reputation of Boracay as one of our premier tourist destinations.”

How do you think authorities should address Boracay’s recurring power challenges to protect both local businesses and the island’s standing as a global destination?

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