Marcos orders NEA to find new power supplier for Siquijor

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has directed the National Electrification Administration (NEA) to find another power supplier for Siquijor, which is experiencing a worsening energy crisis.

This directive comes after it was revealed that Siquijor's lone power producer, the Villar-controlled Siquijor Island Power Corporation (SI Power), is only providing 5 to 7 megawatts (MW), falling short of the island's actual daily need of around 11 MW.

The insufficient supply has led to prolonged daily blackouts, lasting 20 to 22 hours as of May, prompting the province to declare a state of calamity.

Marcos has given NEA six months to initiate a competitive bidding process for additional power supply, open to all available technologies and focusing on long-term sustainable sources.

This move aims to eliminate the need for emergency generator sets by the end of the six-month period through new arrangements.

The President also criticized SI Power for failing to meet its obligations and stressed that the company must live up to its commitments.