Villar Power Firm Booted Out in Siquijor After Brownout Fury

The Villar empire is once again in hot water. After public uproar over Primewater’s unreliable service, Siquijor residents are now blasting the Villar-owned Siquijor Island Power Corporation (SIPCOR) for leaving the island in the dark with endless brownouts.

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has finally pulled the plug—revoking SIPCOR’s provisional authority to operate its power plants.

ERC’s order laid down SIPCOR’s failures: running generator sets without permits, dragging its feet in replacing broken parts, poor maintenance planning, non-compliance with mandatory reports, and worst of all—failing to deliver stable power under its deal with the Siquijor Island Electric Cooperative.

Fed-up islanders suffered long blackouts while SIPCOR cashed in. Now, the ERC has ordered the company to completely shut down.

Relief, however, is on the way. ERC revealed that a new power provider, with the backing of local stakeholders, has quickly set up generation facilities in the towns of Larena, Lazi, and Candanay.

Energy Secretary Sharon Garin confirmed SIPCOR’s downfall, sealing the decision that strips the Villar-owned firm of its authority to operate.

SIPCOR, for its part, admitted it received the ERC’s ruling but vowed to fight back. “We are currently studying the order and shall exhaust all remedies available to us under the law,” the company said, promising stakeholders that it remains “committed” to solving the crisis.

But for the people of Siquijor, the message is clear: they’ve had enough of brownouts and broken promises.