^{Photo credit: PROSIELCO}
Malacañang said renewable energy integration and planned grid interconnection are central to long-term efforts to further stabilize Siquijor’s electricity supply, as the island province continues to see improved power conditions following earlier intervention by the Marcos administration.

During a Palace press briefing on Thursday, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Siquijor has recorded better operational performance in recent months, although intermittent outages remain.

“Mas na-improve na po ang sitwasyon kung ikukumpara sa mga nakaraang buwan. Dahil ito’y nagre-reflect sa operational performance records,” Castro said (“The situation has improved compared to previous months. This is reflected in operational performance records”).

Castro cited Energy Secretary Sharon Garin, who outlined a longer-term strategy focused on strengthening distribution infrastructure, connecting the island to the main grid, and expanding renewable energy capacity.

“Ang plano dito ay magkaroon ng improvement sa distribution lines at makonekta ang isla sa grid through submarine cables at magkakaroon po ng pagdaragdag na renewable energy, especially solar,” Castro said (“The plan is to improve distribution lines and connect the island to the grid through submarine cables, and there will be additional renewable energy, especially solar”).

The government’s push comes as Siquijor continues to address long-standing power reliability issues, including supply shortages and the failure of a previous power provider to meet demand, which previously prompted a presidential inspection of the province.

At present, the Province of Siquijor Electric Cooperative, Inc. (PROSIELCO) is operating high-speed generator sets to help stabilize supply while infrastructure upgrades are being carried out.

Castro said PROSIELCO is also coordinating with the National Electrification Administration (NEA) to resolve operational concerns, including noise from generator operations. The Department of Energy (DOE), she added, is monitoring technical issues such as over-frequency conditions.

Despite ongoing adjustments, Castro said restoration times during outages have improved significantly, averaging 10 to 20 minutes.

Castro said the restoration of power, during its intermittent outages, is only within an average of 10 to 20 minutes each.

PROSIELCO is also upgrading backbone distribution lines to accommodate rising electricity demand on the island.

“As a result, iyong mga schedule ng mga outages ay nangyayari para magampanan ang pagpapa-upgrade ng mga nasabing infrastructure improvements,” Castro said (“As a result, outage schedules are being implemented to carry out these infrastructure upgrades”).

How should renewable integration and grid interconnection be prioritized to improve long-term power reliability in island grids like Siquijor?

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