2-MW generator en route to Siquijor amid power crisis

A 2-megawatt modular generator set is on its way to Siquijor to help ease the island’s worsening power crisis, following the province’s declaration of a state of calamity earlier this week.

- Kristin de Dios/ATO

As part of the agreed actions to address the crisis, the National Electrification Administration (NEA) has partnered with the Palawan Electric Cooperative (PALECO) to facilitate the transfer of the generator.

The unit is set to leave Palawan today, June 8, and is expected to arrive in Siquijor by June 12. It will be installed at the Province of Siquijor Electric Cooperative's (Prosielco) headquarters in Nonoc, Larena.

The additional power source is seen as a crucial step toward stabilizing electricity in the province, which has endured nearly a month of daily blackouts lasting up to five hours. Some areas reportedly receive only two to five hours of electricity per day.

Governor Jake Villa declared the province under a state of calamity on June 3, following the unanimous approval of the Provincial Board.

He described the island's power situation as “unbearable” during a press conference that, fittingly, was disrupted by a power outage.

“We want the public to know, especially the Siquijodnons, that the challenge has become unbearable. We have been experiencing daily blackouts,” Villa said.

“This is the first time nga extreme ang problema sa kuryente,” he added, noting that previous brownouts usually lasted only one to two hours.