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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Killing tourism': Zubiri calls on DOE, NEA to address Siargao's power woes

'Killing tourism': Zubiri calls on DOE, NEA to address Siargao's power woes

Published Dec 6, 2024 07:51 am

Senator Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri urged the Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Electrification Administration (NEA) on Friday, December 6, to urgently address the persistent power outages plaguing Siargao Island since early December.

Zubiri said that this is now adversely affecting its tourism economy.

“I have been receiving so many calls from people in Siargao who have complained that the whole island has had no electricity for five days now,” said Zubiri, who chairs the Senate Committee on Economic Affairs.

The senator expressed deep concern over the impact of these outages on Siargao’s tourism-dependent economy.

“This is killing the tourism economy of the island, and effectively cutting residents off from making any income, as the resorts, hotels and restaurants that they own or work in have to scale down or close down until the lights come back on,” he noted.

“This is starting off as a bleak Christmas season for the people of Siargao, especially in what should be the peak season for tourism in the country," he added.

Siargao, renowned as the Philippines’ surfing capital, attracted approximately 529,822 tourists in 2023, a significant increase from the 125,088 visitors in 2022.

The island’s economy heavily relies on tourism for employment and growth.

The Siargao Electric Cooperative (SIARELCO) has attributed the island-wide blackout, which began on December 1, to a line fault in the submarine cable supplying electricity to the island.

While the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines is collaborating with local distributors to repair the damaged cable, Zubiri emphasized the need for a sustainable solution.

“We know that the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) is already working with the local distributor to address the damaged cable behind this ongoing power failure, but I also want to urge the DOE and the NEA to find a long-term solution for the power problems in Siargao,” he stated.

Reflecting on his personal experiences with Siargao’s unreliable power supply, Zubiri stated, “Matagal nang problema ito sa Siargao (This has been a long-time problem in Siargao)."

"I have experienced it myself, staying in Siargao. You are trained to expect daily power outages. But this is untenable. This is not the kind of experience we want for our tourists, and especially for our residents, who are just trying to live and make a living," the former Senate President lamented.

He urged the DOE to ensure a dependable power supply for the island, offering legislative support from the Senate.

“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 expressed.

Related Tags

National Electrification Administration (NEA) Department of Energy (DOE) SIARGAO ISLAND Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri
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