President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has given Siquijor Island Power Corporation (SIPCOR) six months to resolve all electricity-related issues plaguing the island of Siquijor.

“We have given ourselves a deadline of six months for the short-term solution. 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,” Marcos said during an interview in Siquijor.

To ease the ongoing power interruptions, Marcos ordered the transfer of two-megawatt modular generator sets from Palawan to the island.

He stressed that residents currently receive only a few hours of electricity each day, severely affecting daily life and livelihoods.

“We are here because our countrymen here in Siquijor are experiencing enormous problems due to the lack of electricity, power. And there was a situation where the blackout was very long. Sometimes, other residences only had electricity for two hours, only five hours a day,” Marcos said.

Marcos noted that Siquijor’s rising potential as a tourist destination has also been hampered by the island’s unreliable power supply.

He emphasized that the gensets are only a temporary fix and that SIPCOR must urgently craft and implement a long-term solution.

“It’s no longer the patchwork we need—that we’re forced to do now,” Marcos said. “The government will do its part. SIPCOR must do its part as well.”

The President also acknowledged growing calls from Siquijor residents to replace SIPCOR with another power provider.

“Everything is on the table. We just have to examine what is the best solution. We have some very good ideas,” he said.

To support the resolution of the issue, Marcos tasked the National Electrification Administration (NEA) with overseeing repairs to SIPCOR’s power facilities.