Non-government organization ILAW Pilipinas has raised concerns of power supply inefficiency in Siquijor, especially because of the approaching summer months, warning that the island may not be able to meet the higher electricity demand brought about by peak tourism season.

The consumer advocacy group said that intermittent power supply issues continue to plague Siquijor, despite local and government efforts to reduce pressure on the grid.

According to Governor Jake Vincent Villa, nearly all government buildings in the island have been equipped and are now powered with solar panels, such as the provincial capitol and Siquijor Provincial Hospital. The aim was to reduce strain on the main grid by supplementing some of the electricity demand with solar power.

Despite these efforts, long-term supply stability remains uncertain. This comes from the recent announcement by the Department of Energy that the Visayas region may experience lower energy reserves during the summer due to ongoing repairs and maintenance of several key power plants.

ILAW said businesses on the island are carrying the brunt of this financial strain of unstable supply. Some establishments, particularly high-consuming resorts, are required to purchase their own transformers, with operational electricity costs reportedly reaching between PHP 40,000 to PHP 60,000 monthly.

Blackouts have also affected water supply and telecommunications, disrupting daily operations and leading to booking cancellations in the tourism sector. One focus group participant said, “We lose money because of the additional costs and have to suffer from inconvenience,”

While many resorts have invested in backup diesel generators and solar panels, these solutions come with trade-offs. These include problems such as generator noise all the way to reduced solar efficiency during typhoon season.

ILAW Youth Convenor Francine Pradez said, “The reliance on localized, band-aid solutions highlights a structural failure in Siquijor’s energy infrastructure that locals should not have to shoulder.”

“To truly sustain the island’s economic momentum and protect its residents, there is a critical need to develop long-term solutions to support Siquijor’s energy supply,” she stressed. 

As summer demand surges and tourism activity increases, can short-term fixes sustain Siquijor’s power needs, or will deeper infrastructure solutions be required?

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