Calls for urgent action as Siargao power crisis threatens businesses and tourism

DAVAO CITY — Stakeholders and residents of Siargao Island are calling for immediate action as financial losses continue to mount and frustration grows over the unresolved power crisis.

The blackout, caused by a line fault in the submarine cable between Barangay Cagdianao in Claver and Barangay Doña Helen in Socorro, has left Siargao and Bucas Grande Islands without electricity since December 1, severely disrupting businesses and tourism.

The prolonged power outage has hit tourism-dependent businesses particularly hard.

In a focus group discussion (FGD) organized by the energy consumer advocacy group ILAW, 13 business owners from General Luna shared staggering losses, with some reporting daily revenue declines of up to ₱100,000. Small establishments without generators have temporarily closed, while those with backup power struggle with the high cost of fuel required to run their operations.

“Right now, we’re losing up to ₱100,000 a day due to the week-long power outage. Kawawa ang negosyo dito na walang generators,” one business owner lamented. The crisis has also driven away tourists, who now seek accommodations with reliable power, further straining small businesses that form the backbone of Siargao’s economy.

Beng Garcia, National Convenor of ILAW, emphasized the urgency of the situation, especially with the Christmas season approaching. “We call on all power stakeholders in the region to prioritize consumers first, dahil sila ang pinakaapektado dito. The situation on the ground is dire for our fellow countrymen in Siargao Island. We need to unite to fix the power crisis lalo’t higit na papalapit ang Pasko,” Garcia said.

Youth Convenor Francine Pradez called for systemic changes, stressing that the issue is not unique to Siargao. “This unfortunate incident is not new to Siargao and has been happening in various locations in our country. We need lasting solutions for perennial problems,” she said.

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Surigao del Norte initially faced challenges in declaring a state of calamity due to a lack of quorum during a special session. However, the declaration was eventually made, enabling the provincial government to access its Quick Response Fund for essential aid, such as food, water, and fuel, for affected communities.

The Siargao Electric Cooperative Inc. (SIARELCO), owned by Rep. Sergio Dagooc, announced that the fault in the submarine cable had been identified. The damage was attributed to wear and tear caused by contact with sharp-edged corals, not by external interference. Repair efforts are underway, with splicing and termination work being conducted on the damaged portion.

Temporary Power Solutions in Progress

To address the immediate power shortage, SIARELCO has deployed modular generator sets, including:

• 4.4 MW Modular Generator delivered from Lanao del Norte, to be commissioned on December 13, 2024.
• 8 MW Modular Generator expected to arrive on December 14, 2024, and operational by December 18, 2024.
• 4 MW Modular Generator scheduled for commissioning on December 20, 2024.

These generators, with a combined capacity of 16 MW, are expected to stabilize the power supply and end the load-shedding scheme by December 20.

Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri weighed in on the crisis, calling on the Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Electrification Administration (NEA) to address Siargao’s chronic energy challenges. “This has been a long-time problem in Siargao. The DOE needs to make sure that Siargao has a reliable power supply, and we in the Senate are ready and eager to help them. But the solution has to come from them,” Zubiri stated.

The power crisis has highlighted the fragility of Siargao’s energy infrastructure. Residents and stakeholders are now demanding investments in more durable and resilient technologies to prevent similar issues in the future.

“We hope this serves as a wake-up call to prioritize investments in our power infrastructure. While we wait for the lights to come back on, let’s also make sure the darkness never lasts this long again,” Garcia concluded.

While Siargaonons remain hopeful as repair efforts continue and additional power resources are deployed, the crisis has underscored the need for decisive leadership and systemic reforms to ensure the island’s energy infrastructure can meet the demands of its growing population and thriving tourism industry.