SIARGAO Island has been without electricity since December 1, 2024, due to a line ground break in the submarine cable connecting the island to the Mindanao Power Grid.
To address the crisis, Governor Robert Lyndon S. Barbers convened an emergency meeting of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) on December 5, 2024, at Bayay Surigaonon in Surigao del Norte. The meeting focused on coordinating immediate response efforts and planning for long-term energy solutions.
Siargao Electric Cooperative (SIARELCO) General Manager and APEC Representative Cong. Sergio Dagooc reported that contractors have secured the necessary parts to repair the damaged submarine cable.
These components are expected to arrive by the evening of December 5, with repairs anticipated to restore power by December 8, weather permitting. Meanwhile, SIARELCO has arranged for generator sets from other electric cooperatives to supply rotational six-hour electricity to four municipalities at a time.
To alleviate the crisis, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) has authorized its stations to distribute water for sanitation and household use, cautioning the public that the water is not potable.
Additionally, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is conducting daily price monitoring, though a price freeze can only be implemented following the declaration of a State of Emergency. Fuel assistance from the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) is available to municipalities that submit formal requests.
Governor Barbers stressed the urgency of restoring electricity and pledged to mobilize provincial resources and work with national agencies to expedite the process. He commended SIARELCO and other stakeholders for their transparency and cooperation during the crisis.
Vice Governor Eddie “Geed” Gokiangkee Jr. assured that the Sangguniang Panlalawigan is prioritizing the declaration of a State of Calamity to unlock emergency funds.
The PDRRMC also proposed the creation of a Surigao del Norte Energy Development Advisory Group.
This body would coordinate power development plans, secure funding, and work toward stabilizing the province’s energy infrastructure. The group would include representatives from local governments, national agencies, distribution utilities, private sectors, and civil society organizations.
The meeting underscored the collaborative efforts of provincial and national stakeholders to address the immediate crisis and strengthen Siargao Island’s energy resilience.
Among those present were representatives from the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines, the Office of Civil Defense, and local media outlets.
Efforts to restore power and provide relief are ongoing as the island works toward resolving the crisis and ensuring long-term energy stability.