The Department of Energy (DOE) announced it will intensify efforts to address violations in the power industry, with a special focus on Siquijor Island following persistent power supply issues.
Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said the Siquijor case is a priority after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. personally experienced power outages during his visit in June. The island’s power provider, S.I. Power Corp. (Sipcor), reportedly supplies only 5 to 6 MW against the 9 MW demand due to frequent generator breakdowns and failure to meet contractual fuel reserve requirements.
Garin revealed that several of Sipcor’s compliance certificates have expired, and has multiple regulatory violations. She warned that under the Electric Power Industry Reform Act, the government could intervene if Sipcor continues to underperform.
National Electrification Administration (NEA) administrator Antonio Mariano Almeda backed the DOE’s position, citing the state’s authority to take over utilities in the interest of public welfare. NEA is set to tap engineers from the University of the Philippines to assess Sipcor’s viability and recommend solutions in two weeks.
The DOE and NEA also reaffirmed their commitment to achieve full household electrification. As of December 2024, 94.75 percent of households—equivalent to 27.9 million—have electricity access, with 3.08 million more targeted by 2028.
