To help ease Siquijor’s ongoing power woes, the Department of Energy (DOE) and the provincial government have joined forces to roll out a new initiative focused on clean, reliable energy.
Through a newly signed agreement, both parties will push for solar installations and efficiency upgrades across public buildings under a national program promoting renewable energy in government facilities.
As part of the initiative, government offices in Siquijor will be outfitted with solar panels, energy-saving lights, inverter air conditioners, and smart meters. This move was cemented through the June 27 agreement between DOE Officer-in-Charge Sharon S. Garin and Siquijor Governor Jake Vincent S. Villa.
Garin said the MOA goes beyond a typical agreement, describing it as a reflection of shared resolve to act. “In the face of the power supply challenges here in Siquijor, we are choosing not to wait for the future; we are taking meaningful steps today,” she stressed.
(Also read: How a Power Crisis Plunged Siquijor into a State of Calamity)
Reducing energy use
The initiative supports President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s call for lasting energy solutions in Siquijor by encouraging a shift toward cleaner, more efficient technologies.
According to Garin, reducing energy use in government facilities means more electricity becomes available for households and local businesses in Siquijor. “This is not just about conserving electricity, it’s about ensuring that our limited energy resources are used wisely and benefit those who need it the most,” she stated.
Under the agreement, the DOE will handle the technical side of the project, from conducting energy audits and installing systems to training local personnel. Meanwhile, the provincial government will appoint a representative to help coordinate activities and ensure smooth implementation on the ground.
(Also read: ERC Set to Probe Siquijor Power Outages)
Solving Siquijor’s energy problems
As part of broader efforts to secure Siquijor’s energy future, DOE officials met with representatives from the Province of Siquijor Electric Cooperative, Inc. (PROSIELCO) and the Siquijor Power Corporation (SIPCOR) to discuss lasting solutions to the island’s power supply issues. The discussions underscored the common goal of adopting sustainable and proactive approaches to address the province’s energy challenges.
In early June 2025, Siquijor declared a state of calamity due to prolonged daily brownouts caused by the breakdown of all six diesel generators of the island’s lone power provider,
SIPCOR.
With no connection to the national grid, the island faced a power shortfall, disrupting water supply, healthcare, tourism, and remote work. The provincial government leased additional generators from Cebu and Palawan.
Power was restored mid-June, but the crisis highlighted the urgent need for long-term energy reforms.
Sources:
https://powerphilippines.com/doe-siquijor-ink-deal-to-power-public-buildings-with-solar
https://www.manilatimes.net/2025/06/11/regions/doe-confirms-power-shortage-in-siquijor/2130623