The Department of Energy (DOE) has restored Siquijor’s power supply to 10.6 megawatts (MW) following urgent government action.

In a media release dated June 15, the DOE reported huge improvements in the province’s electricity supply through the combined efforts of the DOE, the National Electrification Administration (NEA), and the Provincial Government of Siquijor. These efforts were carried out following a directive from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

As of June 14, the island’s total available capacity has reached 10.6 MW, which includes 7.2 MW from six operational generator units of the Siquijor Island Power Corporation (SIPCOR), 1.7 MW from generator sets provided by the Palawan Electric Cooperative, Inc. (PALECO) and another 1.7 MW from SIPCOR’s rented gensets.

Repair work is currently ongoing for SIPCOR’s remaining Units 7 and 8. According to the DOE, Unit 8 is expected to be operational by June 18, while Unit 7 is scheduled for completion a month later by July 18.

To guarantee continuous electricity supply, the DOE said it will closely monitor SIPCOR’s compliance with regulatory standards, the timely repair of its generation units, and the delivery of its fuel supply. SIPCOR has committed to meeting the minimum 10-day fuel inventory requirement within the next ten days to sustain continuous operations.

The DOE is also coordinating with the Province of Siquijor Electric Cooperative, Inc. (PROSIELCO) regarding a Certificate of Conformity issued by NEA. This allows the cooperative to proceed with a competitive selection process for the procurement of 5 to 11 MW of baseload power supply.

DOE Officer-in-Charge Sharon S. Garin acknowledged the support of key stakeholders in the effort. “We commend the swift and coordinated action of NEA, SIPCOR, the Provincial Government of Siquijor and our partner electric cooperatives in bringing relief to the people of Siquijor,” Garin said.

Beside short-term interventions, the DOE is also looking at long-term solutions to improve energy stability in the province. The agency is set to sign a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Provincial Government of Siquijor to provide technical assistance for deploying solar energy solutions in government buildings. This project aims to institutionalize energy efficiency in the public sector and promote sustainable practices.

To add to that, a 5 MW ground-mounted solar power project is being developed in the Municipality of Maria. The project proponent has secured site access and received a resolution of support from the local government. Civil works are in progress, alongside the required Distribution Impact Study (DIS) and System Impact Study (SIS). The project is slated for commissioning by November 2026.

The DOE is also working with the National Transmission Corporation (TransCo) on a looping configuration for Siquijor’s transmission system. Once implemented, this setup is expected to improve the island’s grid resilience by providing alternate power routes and supporting renewable energy integration.

The DOE stated it will continue to monitor the power situation in Siquijor and work closely with stakeholders to ensure the implementation of sustainable long-term solutions.

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