The Philippines, a jewel box of stunning islands and vibrant culture, draws millions of tourists each year to its pristine shores. Boracay, with its powdery white sands and turquoise waters, welcomed over two million visitors in 2023. Siargao Island, a surfer's paradise renowned for its world-class waves, hosted over half a million.
But beneath the idyllic facade of these tropical havens lies a harsh reality: a constant struggle for reliable power that threatens not only the comfort of tourists but also the livelihoods of local communities.
As 2024 draws to a close, the festive cheer of Christmas carols and twinkling lights is tinged with a sense of anxiety for many residents of these island paradises. The year has been marred by recurring power outages, leaving a lingering fear that the lights could go out at any moment, plunging their homes and businesses into darkness.
The desire for a stable and sustainable power supply is a shared Christmas wish, a plea for a brighter future where their lives and livelihoods are not held hostage by the whims of an unreliable energy grid.
A new year's blackout
The year began with an unwelcome surprise for the residents of Panay Island. As fireworks lit up the sky to usher in 2024, a widespread blackout descended upon the island, affecting Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Iloilo, and Guimaras.
The culprit was a series of power plant failures, with three units of Panay Energy Development Corp. (PEDC) and one from Palm Concepcion Power Corp. (PCPC) unexpectedly tripping offline.
For three days, life on Panay was disrupted. Residents were forced to rely on batteries and backup generators, struggling to maintain their daily routines and businesses. The impact was particularly severe in Boracay, where tourism is the lifeblood of the economy.
Charles, a Boracay local who works as an online data steward, recounts the challenges his family and community faced during the outage. "We've grown reliant on technology," he explains. "E-tricycles had a hard time recharging because they also need a generator."
Boracay's fleet of electric tricycles, introduced in the late 2010s as a sustainable transportation solution, became a liability during the blackout. The initiative, supported by the local government, the Department of Energy (DOE), and the Department of Transportation (DOTr), aimed to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and mitigate the impact of fluctuating oil prices. However, the frequent power outages exposed the vulnerability of this eco-friendly transport system.
The lack of electricity also brought internet services to a standstill, impacting students and those working remotely, like Charles. "Many people on the island work online, so when that happens, it can be a big hassle," he shares.
Beyond the inconvenience, the blackout had a significant economic impact. Malls and shops were forced to close early, unable to operate without power. Charles's family-owned restaurant, like many other businesses, suffered losses due to the inability to store and prepare food. "The most affected are family-owned businesses, like sari-sari stores and restaurants," he notes.
Despite the hardships, the spirit of bayanihan (community cooperation) prevailed. Charles describes how some cafes and hotels generously shared their generators with neighboring households, providing a lifeline in a time of need.
Price of power instability
The Panay blackout, while disruptive, was thankfully short-lived. The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) restored power to the island after three days, but the economic damage was significant. Iloilo alone reported losses of around P3.8 billion, according to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr..
This incident served as a wake-up call, prompting government agencies and energy stakeholders to collaborate on solutions for the recurring power issues plaguing these tourist destinations. The DOE, the Energy Regulatory Commission, the NGCP, and electric cooperatives (ECs) are working together to ensure a more reliable power supply for these critical areas.
One major development aimed at improving power stability is the P52 billion Mindanao-Visayas Interconnection Project (MVIP), energized earlier this year. This ambitious project allows for the sharing of energy resources between Mindanao and Visayas, reducing the risk of isolated outages and promoting greater grid stability.
Another key initiative is the completion of stage three of the Cebu-Negros-Panay (CNP) backbone project. This upgrade involved the installation of a new submarine cable connecting Cebu and Negros, enhancing the transmission capacity and reliability of the grid.
While these infrastructure investments are crucial, the NGCP emphasizes that they are not a panacea for Panay's power woes. "Transmission and power generation go hand in hand," the NGCP stated in April. "Sufficient power generation development supported by reliable transmission is the formula for optimized energy development. This will support the country’s push towards economic recovery."
The NGCP advocates for a holistic approach to energy development, stressing the need for balanced investment in both generation and transmission infrastructure.
A Christmas crisis in Siargao
Just as the Panay blackout cast a shadow over the start of the year, another power crisis struck a popular tourist destination as the year drew to a close. In December, Siargao Island, the surfing capital of the Philippines, was plunged into darkness for 14 days due to damage to its submarine cable.
The prolonged outage, caused by "wear and tear" on the vital undersea link, crippled the island's economy. Businesses dependent on electricity, including those in the tourism, fishing, and farming sectors, suffered substantial losses.
Surigao Del Norte officials declared a state of calamity as residents in several towns, including General Luna, Dapa, and Del Carmen, were forced to rely on generator sets. The Siargao Electric Cooperative, Inc. (SIARELCO) worked tirelessly to repair the cable fault and restore power within two weeks. The National Electrification Administration (NEA) also provided support, commissioning a four-megawatt modular generator set.
To further bolster Siargao's power supply, the Agusan del Norte Electric Cooperative, Inc. (ANECO) provided an eight-megawatt generator set. While power has been restored, the local government expressed concerns about the long-term stability of the island's electricity supply, calling for sustainable solutions to meet the growing demands of its thriving tourism industry.
Brighter outlook for 2025?
The recurring power outages in these island paradises highlight the challenges of providing reliable electricity in an archipelago like the Philippines. Transmitting power across vast stretches of water remains a significant hurdle.
However, the DOE remains optimistic about the future. Assistant Secretary Mario Marasigan expressed confidence in the country's ability to meet its electricity needs. "We don't see any problems or concerns regarding power supply," he stated. "What we are after actually is the incoming power generation facilities towards the next years, 2025, and so on, because we see that to achieve an ample supply of electricity, we really need to make sure that all committed power projects would be connected on time so that they can deliver the power generated into the grid."
Marasigan highlighted the importance of the MVIP in addressing the power challenges in the Visayas region. "With the MVIP, any challenge or problem that may occur in Visayas may be amply provided by the interconnection from Mindanao and even from Luzon," he explained.
The DOE is also focusing on strengthening the distribution network, particularly in rural areas. "On the distribution side, we have propagated rural electrification, so more access in rural areas," Marasigan said. "If all our committed projects would be done on time, then we would definitely have no problem."
While acknowledging the challenges, the DOE believes that with continued investment in generation, transmission, and distribution infrastructure, the Philippines can secure a stable and sustainable power supply for all its citizens, including those in its most remote and beautiful islands.
As the country looks ahead to 2025, the hope is that the lights will stay on, not just for the tourists who flock to these idyllic destinations, but also for the communities who call these islands home. Marasigan encourages Filipinos to continue their efforts towards energy efficiency and conservation, not only to reduce strain on the grid but also to save money on their electricity bills.
The dream of a bright and prosperous future for these island communities hinges on the promise of reliable power. It's a Christmas wish that deserves to be fulfilled.