I HAVE witnessed firsthand the transformation and development of Siquijor since I began my journey with the province in 1982. Over the decades, I have served in various roles that gave me deep insight into the province’s challenges and potential:
- Community Mobilizer for the defunct Ministry of Human Settlements;
- Private Secretary to then-Governor Manolito Asok and Acting Provincial Information Officer;
- Project Manager of the World Bank’s Central Visayas Regional Project, focusing on nearshore fisheries across all coastal areas;
- Administrative and Technical Advisor of the Coastal Conservation & Education Foundation Inc., implementing marine protected areas, mangrove management, and coastal law enforcement with the Rtn. Ting Matiao Foundation;
- Project Preparation Team Member for the Asian Development Bank-funded Integrated Coastal Resource Management Project;
- Active Board member and long-time Chairperson of the Board of Directors at DCCCO Multipurpose Cooperative, regularly attending the annual Chapter Assembly and periodically visiting the Siquijor Branch and its Lazi Satellite Office – both established during my tenure.
Every year, I also return with my family to fulfill our obligations as real property taxpayers. Modesty aside, I have long been a part of Siquijor’s development journey. That is why I find it deeply frustrating and concerning that an issue as fundamental as electricity remains unresolved to this day.
Persistent Power Outages: A Symptom of Deeper Issues
Power outages in Siquijor are no longer occasional inconveniences—they are a near-daily reality. Residents and businesses regularly suffer from unscheduled brownouts, some lasting for hours. During the recent pre-fiesta celebration in Maria, families resorted to candles just to prepare food—an unacceptable and dangerous workaround in this day and age.
The power supply system in Siquijor is currently served by two entities:
SIPCOR (Siquijor Island Power Corporation) – Responsible for power generation, operating two plants in Candanay Sur and Tignao, Lazi.
PROSIELCO (Province of Siquijor Electric Cooperative) – Handles distribution, purchasing power exclusively from SIPCOR.
This setup reveals a fragile system. When SIPCOR falters, PROSIELCO has no power to distribute. And when PROSIELCO’s lines malfunction, SIPCOR’s generated power can’t reach consumers.
Scheduled vs. Unscheduled Brownouts
PROSIELCO categorizes brownouts into:
Scheduled – For line maintenance or upgrades.
Unscheduled – Caused by power plant issues, equipment failures, vegetation interference, or animal contact.
SIPCOR also schedules preventive maintenance, but occasionally experiences unscheduled shutdowns due to generator failures.
A Fair Question: Why Has This Not Been Solved?
Given that the causes of these outages are known and recurring, it is perplexing that the issue remains unaddressed. As a taxpayer and long-time development worker in Siquijor, I ask: What are SIPCOR, PROSIELCO, the National Electrification Administration (NEA), our past and present congressional representatives, and the LGUs doing to resolve this?
Is this situation going to persist indefinitely? Should we continue to live with third-world energy conditions in the 21st century?
Governance and Accountability
Recurring problems like this are often a symptom of poor governance—a failure to identify, prioritize, and solve root causes. It reflects systemic issues: ineffective planning, lack of transparency, weak coordination, and insufficient public accountability.
This is not simply a technical or financial issue—it is a governance issue. We deserve answers, and more importantly, we deserve results.
Is Renewable Energy the Way Forward?
I was encouraged to learn that Siquijor is exploring renewable energy options, including solar power, which makes perfect sense given the island’s abundant sunshine. This direction aligns with the Renewable Energy Act of 2008 (RA 9513), which promotes the development of sustainable, indigenous energy sources.
However, plans are only as good as their implementation. Where do these renewable projects stand? Has PROSIELCO made progress in acquiring additional power or backup generators? Is funding the issue, or is it something else?
If it’s a matter of resources, then let’s rally support. The national government, local government units, and the private sector can collaborate to mobilize the necessary funds and expertise. After all, a reliable and affordable power supply is crucial not just for daily life but for economic growth and investment, particularly in Siquijor’s booming tourism industry.
A Bigger Picture: Clean Energy for Health and Climate
Shifting to renewable energy is not just a local solution—it’s a global imperative. According to the World Health Organization, 99% of the global population breathes polluted air. Fossil fuel combustion contributes to over 13 million deaths annually and causes $2.9 trillion in economic losses in 2018 alone.
The transition to clean energy, such as solar and wind, could save the world up to $4.2 trillion annually by 2030. The health, environmental, and economic benefits are clear.
Final Appeal
To our leaders, utility providers, and development stakeholders: What is being done—concretely and urgently—to address Siquijor’s power crisis? The community deserves transparency, commitment, and real progress.
Let us not wait until another fiesta is celebrated in candlelight. Let us not keep repeating the same cycle of inconvenience, danger, and lost opportunity. Siquijor deserves better.
I speak not only as a concerned citizen and taxpayer, but as someone who has walked with the island through its decades of development—and who hopes to see it reach its full potential.
Now is the time to act.
