Fix power crisis in key tourist spots, govt urged
THE country's key tourist destinations are grappling with an escalating power crisis, prompting calls for urgent action from stakeholders. Prolonged power outages have disrupted businesses, tourism, and daily life in areas like Siargao, Boracay and Tacloban, underscoring the vulnerability of the country's electricity infrastructure. Energy consumer advocacy group ILAW urged stakeholders to prioritize consumers who bear the brunt of these outages. Beng Garcia, ILAW's national convenor, emphasized the pressing need to address the power instability that has caused significant economic losses and disrupted livelihoods. "We call on all power stakeholders in the region to prioritize consumers first because they are the most affected by this," Garcia stated. Francine Pradez, ILAW's youth convenor, echoed the sentiment, stressing the necessity of sustainable solutions. "Bringing this issue to all concerned government agencies is our primary goal. Power outages have been happening in various locations in our country. We need lasting solutions for perennial problems," she said. In a recent focus group discussion organized by ILAW in General Luna, Siargao, 13 business owners shared how the outages hurt their businesses. One owner lamented losing up to P100,000 daily, while others were forced to temporarily close shops. Establishments without generators faced shutdowns, and even those with backup power struggled with the soaring cost of fuel. At the start of December 2024, Siargao suffered a 14-day blackout caused by submarine cable damage, which underscored the island's fragile power supply. Emergency measures, including the deployment of modular and large-scale generators, provided temporary relief. However, local officials have voiced concerns over the long-term stability of electricity on the island. On the other hand, Panay Island, home to Boracay, suffered a three-day blackout in January 2024 due to multiple power plant failures. The economic fallout was staggering, with Iloilo reporting losses of about P3.8 billion. Meanwhile, Tacloban ushered in 2025 in darkness due to a 10-hour unscheduled outage caused by a damaged power line. Pradez said the recurring power outages serve as a wake-up call for policymakers, urging them to address systemic issues that threaten the economy and livelihoods in these vital regions.
Tomas Kauer - Moderator 
THE country's key tourist destinations are grappling with an escalating power crisis, prompting calls for urgent action from stakeholders. Prolonged power outages have disrupted businesses, tourism, and daily life in areas like Siargao, Boracay and Tacloban, underscoring the vulnerability of the country's electricity infrastructure.
Energy consumer advocacy group ILAW urged stakeholders to prioritize consumers who bear the brunt of these outages.
Beng Garcia, ILAW's national convenor, emphasized the pressing need to address the power instability that has caused significant economic losses and disrupted livelihoods.
"We call on all power stakeholders in the region to prioritize consumers first because they are the most affected by this," Garcia stated.
Francine Pradez, ILAW's youth convenor, echoed the sentiment, stressing the necessity of sustainable solutions.
"Bringing this issue to all concerned government agencies is our primary goal. Power outages have been happening in various locations in our country. We need lasting solutions for perennial problems," she said.
In a recent focus group discussion organized by ILAW in General Luna, Siargao, 13 business owners shared how the outages hurt their businesses. One owner lamented losing up to P100,000 daily, while others were forced to temporarily close shops. Establishments without generators faced shutdowns, and even those with backup power struggled with the soaring cost of fuel.
At the start of December 2024, Siargao suffered a 14-day blackout caused by submarine cable damage, which underscored the island's fragile power supply. Emergency measures, including the deployment of modular and large-scale generators, provided temporary relief. However, local officials have voiced concerns over the long-term stability of electricity on the island.
On the other hand, Panay Island, home to Boracay, suffered a three-day blackout in January 2024 due to multiple power plant failures. The economic fallout was staggering, with Iloilo reporting losses of about P3.8 billion.
Meanwhile, Tacloban ushered in 2025 in darkness due to a 10-hour unscheduled outage caused by a damaged power line.
Pradez said the recurring power outages serve as a wake-up call for policymakers, urging them to address systemic issues that threaten the economy and livelihoods in these vital regions.
