President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday said two large power generator sets from Palawan are now being shifted to Siquijor to temporarily augment the island province’s electricity supply and ease the power blackouts.
The President flew to Siquijor to personally oversee measures to address the prolonged power disruptions which last for several hours each day.
In a media interview following his inspection of the Siquijor Diesel Power Plant in Candanay Sur, President Marcos commiserated with residents who have been experiencing prolonged blackouts which have severely affected their activities, including the province’s booming tourism.
“Nandito kami dahil napakalaking problema ang dinadanas ng ating mga kababayan dito sa Siquijor dahil nga sa kakulangan ng pag-provide ng kuryente,” the President said, noting that some areas have power supply for only two to five hours in a day.
President Marcos sympathized with the people of Siquijor, saying, “The victims of this situation (lack of sufficient supply of electricity) are the ordinary people of Siquijor.”
“Kaya ang ginawa natin, at least in the short term, nagpapunta tayo rito ng mga genset, na malalaking genset (generator set), dalawang genset galing Palawan,” said President Marcos, adding that the gensets will reach Siquijor on Wednesday night and on Thursday.
“So pagka-naikabit na ‘yun at mapaandar na ‘yun, kumpleto na ang supply. But this is a temporary, that will be a temporary solution,” the President stressed.
President Marcos ordered the Siquijor Island Power Corp. (SIPCOR), which operates the Siquijor Diesel Power Plant, and concerned government agencies to solve the island-wide power crisis permanently within six months.
“By six months from now, we will then impose whatever new arrangements that we have to do so that six months from now, we do not have to resort to the emergency gensets,” the President said.
President Marcos said SIPCOR must fulfill its obligation to provide a consistent power supply to residents through the local electric cooperative.
Aside from deploying generator sets, other short-term solutions include ensuring fuel supply, repairing existing generators, and improving transmission lines.
On the clamor from Siquijor residents for a new power provider, the President said, “Everything is on the table. We just have to examine what is the best solution. We have some very good ideas.” | PND
