Persistent power outages in Siquijor are putting the island’s tourism growth at risk and may weaken investor confidence if not urgently addressed, the Department of Tourism (DOT) warned on Thursday, July 31.

Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco said the ongoing power instability, managed by a private provider, has raised concern among stakeholders as Siquijor continues to gain recognition as a key destination in Central Visayas.

“Unless and until interventions are made as far as the facility there that provides the electric supply, it’s very difficult for us in the DOT to do anything really, because this is entirely within the hands of the private sector operator on the island,” Frasco said, urging the Department of Energy (DOE) to step in and resolve the issue.

She noted that the situation runs counter to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to integrate city and island power systems and stressed the importance of accountability to sustain the island’s economic momentum.

“We have already appealed to the DOE to ensure that the private provider delivers what it has promised,” Frasco said. “If no action is taken, the risk to investor confidence will continue to grow.”

While no formal reports of tourism-related business closures have been recorded, Frasco said the DOT is closely monitoring the effects of frequent brownouts on business operations and visitor satisfaction.

“We reiterate the urgency with which the power situation in Siquijor should be addressed,” she said, warning that unresolved infrastructure issues could set back years of tourism development.

Frasco added that the DOT is actively promoting the Philippines in high-value markets such as India and the Gulf region but said persistent service disruptions in emerging destinations like Siquijor could affect both local and international investor interest.

“Siquijor remains a rising destination in Central Visayas,” she said. “But its future hinges on reliable infrastructure—a shared responsibility between the public and private sectors.”