Siquijor province declared a state of calamity after extended power outages disrupted essential services, forced emergency interventions, and drew national attention to the island’s longstanding energy problems.

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan passed the resolution after receiving reports that all six generator sets operated by the Siquijor Island Power Corporation (SIPCOR) had malfunctioned. The blackout left residents with as little as two to five hours of electricity each day, according to provincial officials.

Governor Jake Vincent Villa said the outages had paralyzed water systems, health centers, schools, and telecommunications. “We are off-grid. Everything depends on these diesel generators,” he said in a press briefing. “When they fail, the entire island suffers.”

National Electrification Administration (NEA) Administrator Antonio Mariano Almeda confirmed the deployment of a 2-megawatt modular generator from Palawan and additional rental units from Cebu. Combined, these emergency sources are expected to bring Siquijor’s available supply closer to 6 megawatts—still short of the province’s peak demand of over 9 megawatts.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. visited the island and ordered the Department of Energy and NEA to resolve both short- and long-term power issues. He also directed a review of SIPCOR’s power supply contract with the Provisional Electric Cooperative of Siquijor (Prosielco), citing possible non-compliance and neglect.

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) announced plans to investigate SIPCOR’s operations. ERC Chairperson Monalisa Dimalanta said the agency received complaints about unpermitted rental generators, safety concerns, and inconsistent power delivery. “The situation in Siquijor is not just about inconvenience,” she said. “It’s a matter of public welfare.”

According to the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, around 8,000 residents across several towns were directly affected by the power interruptions. Local businesses, especially in the tourism sector, reported losses due to booking cancellations and refund demands.

Arthur Chan, president of the Siquijor Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the situation has eroded tourist confidence. “We’ve been trying to market Siquijor as a quiet getaway,” he said. “But when guests can’t charge their phones or take a shower, the experience falls apart.”

SIPCOR has yet to provide a full timeline for repairs but stated that its technical teams are working to restore the damaged units. In a statement, the company cited aging equipment and limited spare parts as contributing factors.

The state of calamity allows the provincial government to access emergency funds and speed up procurement of fuel, equipment, and logistical support. Officials said the declaration will remain in effect until stable power is restored.

NEA and DOE teams continue to monitor the island’s energy situation while exploring options for a long-term solution. President Marcos said he expects a permanent fix within six months.