In response to a severe power crisis that has persisted for over a week, the provincial government of Surigao del Norte has officially declared a state of calamity for Siargao and Bucas Grande Islands. The decision, made on December 10, 2024, comes as the islands grapple with the effects of a power outage that started on December 1 due to a malfunction in the submarine cable connecting the islands to the mainland of Mindanao.
Governor Robert Lyndon Barbers has endorsed the declaration, highlighting its importance in accelerating the disbursement of emergency funds and facilitating essential aid to the impacted communities. He emphasized that the move would grant local officials the authority to enact urgent measures to tackle the economic and social repercussions of the extended blackout.
The recommendation for the calamity declaration came from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council on December 5, with the provincial government committing to prioritize the well-being of residents and expedite the restoration of normalcy.
Janis Medina Reginio, a spokesperson for the provincial government, outlined the initial steps under the calamity declaration, which include distributing generator sets to all 134 barangays on the islands. Additionally, in collaboration with the Department of Trade and Industry, a price freeze on essential goods is being implemented to alleviate the financial strain on residents.
Efforts to resolve the power issue are underway, with the Siargao Electric Cooperative (SIARELCO) actively inspecting a 1.9-kilometer segment of the submarine cable to pinpoint the fault. To provide temporary relief, modular generator sets are being deployed to Siargao, including units from Lanao del Norte and Agusan del Norte Electric Cooperative, with an anticipated total capacity of 16 megawatts by December 20.
The ongoing power outage has significantly disrupted daily life and put a strain on local resources, leading to urgent appeals for action to address the crisis.