Marcos vows to solve Siquijor power, water problems

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos yesterday vowed to implement lasting solutions to power and water problems in Siquijor, which have been blamed on poor services provided by private utilities.

Widespread power outages and lack of water supply forced the provincial government to declare a state of calamity last month.

Marcos, in his fourth State of the Nation Address, said the administration would continue to bring electricity and water to households in remote areas through more grid connections, additional power plants and solar panel systems.

“We will not allow a repeat of what recently happened in Siquijor. Because of widespread blackouts, the province was forced to declare a state of calamity. The tourism, businesses, hospitals and other services have been affected,” Marcos said.

He said an investigation into the matter revealed the incompetence and inefficiencies of power and water utilities serving the province, as shown by “expired permits, non-functioning generators due to neglect, slow action, and lack of a proper system to procure fuel and parts.”

Marcos directed the Department of Energy, the National Electrification Administration and the Energy Regulatory Commission to ensure that power supply in Siquijor would be normal by the end of the year.

“We will make sure that facilities needed will be put up for a long-term solution to their problems on electricity,” Marcos said. “This should not happen again.”

He said the government continues to investigate the “neglect” in Siquijor as well as similar incidents in other parts of the country. He said utilities must refund affected consumers, if warranted.

Marcos ordered the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) to hold accountable utilities that fail to deliver adequate services to their customers.

He said he received complaints that more than six million consumers in the country are affected by poor water services.

“(The) LWUA is now implementing effective steps against poor services from water districts and their joint venture partners,” Marcos said.