An investigation into Siquijor’s ongoing power crisis is set to begin next month, as the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) prepares to hold a public hearing on July 3.
The ERC has summoned key power players— the Province of Siquijor Electric Cooperative Inc.
(PROSIELCO), S.I. Power Corporation (SIPCOR), and the National Power Corporation (NPC)—to explain the causes behind the province’s electricity failures and outline steps taken to address the issue.
ERC Chairperson and CEO Monalisa Dimalanta said the upcoming hearing reflects the commission’s drive to hold power providers accountable and enforce industry standards, especially in off-grid areas like Siquijor. She emphasized the agency’s commitment to ensuring residents receive consistent and dependable electricity service.
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Siquijor’s power crisis
The ERC also wants to investigate why Siquijor continues to experience extended blackouts despite existing power supply agreements that should meet the island’s electricity demand. PROSIELCO and SIPCOR are contracted to deliver a combined 9.5 MW, which is considered sufficient for peak usage. The commission is now reviewing whether both providers are fulfilling their obligations.
The inquiry was prompted by growing complaints over frequent outages that have disrupted daily life, affected local businesses, and inconvenienced tourists.
Faced with worsening power disruptions, the Siquijor provincial government declared a state of calamity earlier this June, citing continuous rotating brownouts that began on May 13.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. visited a SIPCOR power facility in Siquijor and instructed officials to resolve the island’s persistent power outages within six months, according to the Presidential Communications Office. He also signaled openness to bringing in an alternative power provider to address the province’s energy woes.
On June 9, SIPCOR announced it had begun taking steps to address the issues and implement necessary fixes.
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Pre-investigation findings
A five-day technical inspection by the ERC in May uncovered multiple operational and regulatory shortcomings in Siquijor’s power infrastructure. The assessment pointed to issues in both SIPCOR’s generation plants and PROSIELCO’s distribution network.
“These deficiencies include inadequate preventive maintenance, lack of fuel inventory, operating without required safety certifications and plant certificate of compliance, and the use of rental generators without permits,” it noted.
The ERC also cited the use of improper sectionalizing equipment and delays in relocating essential infrastructure.
Dimalanta stated, “In calling for this public inquiry, the Commission is determined to find long-term solutions to the power reliability issues experienced by the province and ensure that contractual commitments are delivered, and services are improved moving forward.”
Four days after the President’s visit, the National Electrification Administration (NEA) announced that power had been restored in Siquijor after urgent repairs and the installation of a new generator. This increased the island’s available supply to 11 MW, surpassing its highest electricity requirement of 9 MW.
Sources:
https://www.bworldonline.com/economy/2025/06/19/680329/erc-to-investigate-siquijor-power-crisis/