The Provincial Government of Surigao del Norte will provide generator sets to 134 barangays affected by the prolonged power outage in the islands of Siargao and Bucas Grande.

Following the declaration of state of calamity in the two islands, the provincial government will get P26 million from the quick response fund to purchase generator sets.

More than 36,000 households, excluding business establishments, are affected by the outage.

The power outage started on December 1, 2024 due to a line fault in the submarine cable, according to the Siargao Electric Cooperative Inc. (SIARELCO).

SIARELCO added that more generators sets, with a combined capacity of 16 megawatts, are expected to arrive to help supply electricity to the two islands while submarine cable repairs are underway.

“For example, magkakalapit grid ang General Luna, Pilar and then another municipality, siguro Carmen, 6 hours sila, then mamamatay, 6 hours na naman sa other municipalities. Yan po ang rotation,” Surigao del Norte Provincial Communications and Public Information Office Head, Janis Medina Reginio, said.

More technical experts are also needed to dive under the sea and locate the fault in the submarine cable.

“SIARELCO pa po ang technical experts na nag-come in. We are really hoping for more experts from the government. Also, may mga move na pong gagawin ang provincial government soon para makakuha ng additional technical experts,” Reginio added.

The extended power outage has already affected the tourism sector in Siargao Island.

“Yung travelers who are backpackers, most of them preferred to stay in homestays. Not all homestays have gensets, kaya doon po may cancellation. Isang luxury resort lang po ata ang kayang 24 hours ang genset kasi dalawa, tatlo and standby genset nila but ibang resort na may genset, pinapatay every four hours kasi papahingahin,” Reginio said.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has implemented a price freeze on basic necessities.