On August 29, 2025, the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) served an Order on Siquijor Island Power Corporation (SIPCOR) revoking the Provisional Authority to Operate (PAO) of SIPCOR’s generation facilities in Siquijor Province. The ERC cited SIPCOR’s numerous violations: failure to secure Certificate of Compliance (COC) prior to operating its gensets including rental gensets, prolonged unit outages due to poor maintenance planning and delayed parts replacement, non-compliance with reportorial requirements, and failing to comply with its obligations under SIPCOR’s Power Supply Agreements (PSAs) with PROSIELCO—the Province’s distribution utility. The ERC also directed SIPCOR to cease and desist from operating its power plants. ERC Chairperson and CEO Atty. Francis Saturnino Juan personally served the Order, accompanied by Department of Energy (DOE) Undersecretary Mario Marasigan and National Electrification Administration (NEA) Administrator Antonio Mariano Almeda.
Following SIPCOR’s shutdown, the Province’s electricity needs are now met under an Emergency Power Supply Agreement (EPSA), facilitated by NEA pursuant to DOE directive. Through collaborative efforts of NEA, PROSIELCO, the new power provider (NPP) and local stakeholders, new generation facilities were rapidly constructed, tested, and commissioned in the municipalities of Larena, Lazi, and Candanay. These newly completed facilities are now ready for commercial operations and capable of supplying approximately 15.75 megawatts (MW) of electricity—well above the Province’s peak energy demand of 9.5 MW.
NEA Administrator Antonio Almeda also mobilized linemen from neighboring electric cooperatives, including Cebu Electric Cooperative, Inc. (CEBECO 1) and Cebu 3 Electric Cooperative, Inc. (CEBECO 3), to support the PROSIELCO team in expediting completion of take-off terminals for the new plants. This swift and coordinated response ensures reliable and sustainable power for the Province and demonstrates the Government’s commitment to energy security and public service.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. in his last State of the Nation Address (SONA) made special mention of the recent power crisis hounding the Province, citing widespread brownouts due to broken down power generation units and the lack of permits to operate them. He specifically directed the DOE, NEA, and ERC to restore normal electricity service in the Province before the end of this year. The agencies concerned complied with the President’s directive 4 months ahead of the deadline.
