With both power plants of the National Power Corporation (NPC) and Isla Dagyab Energy Corporation already fully operational, the Catanduanes island grid has 3.5 megawatts of power now in reserve.
Based on available data from the First Catanduanes Electric Cooperative, Inc. (FICELCO), the grid has achieved an available dependable capacity of 21 mW as of Tuesday, June 16, 2026, against an estimated system demand of 17.5 mW.
The total dependable capacity, which is variable depending on the condition of the diesel gensets, comes from the 7.975 mW already being supplied by Sunwest Water & Electricity Co. (SUWECO), the 5 mW from NPC-rented gensets under the Interim Power Supply Agreement (IPSA) and the 8 mW of Isla Dagyab under the 2nd Emergency Power Supply Agreement (EPSA 2).
It may be recalled that when EPSA 1 contracted to SUWECO expired last May 15, 2026 without any replacement, only 11.8 mW was available for the cooperative’s 60,000 member-consumer-owners.
This led to rotational brownouts of seven to eight hours implemented in three shifts, greatly inconveniencing ordinary citizens and resulting in considerable losses for business establishments.
With NPC’s 5mW gensets kicking in last June 11, the power outages were reduced to three hours each per shift based on the deficit of 800 kilowatts.
Last Monday morning, June 15, technical personnel of Isla Dagyab conducted the Generating Unit Capability Testing (GUCT) in the presence of NPC officials as a requirement prior to commercial operation.
While Isla Dagyab’s contract runs for one year or until FICELCO has completed its Competitive Selection Process (CSP) for the procurement of 24 mW of power, the NPC’s 5 mW power plant being operated by S.C. Megaworld Construction and Development Corporation has initial duration of 60 days subject to extension if warranted.
Energy officials led by DOE Secretary Sharon A. Garin, Undersecretary Mario Marasigan, and NPC President and Chief Executive Officer Jericho Jonas Nograles assured Catanduanes that there will be no more power interruptions until a permanent solution is found.
Noting that FICELCO’s problems began with the contracting of power from generation companies, Garin said that while the deficit of 6.2 mW is being addressed, there is a need for additional power so that the business climate in the province would be more progressive.
Nograles recalled that after meeting with President Ferdinand Marcor Jr., the DOE chief ordered NPC to resolve the power problem in Catanduanes.
“We started work, prepared documents, formed a team and sought assistance from FICELCO,” he said. “Hindi po namin pababayaan ang Catanduanes until that permanent solution arrives.”
Sec. Garin stated that in the island grid, the private supplier took over from NPC under the EPIRA law but if it cannot provide services fully, then DOE can direct NPC to take over the role of a genco.
“Kung hindi ka makaka-perform, you will have to face the consequences,” she warned. “It’s not just about the contract but also the day-to-day life that is affected.”
She added that if there are violations and these are proven, the DOE can withdraw its endorsement of the genco and the Energy Regulatory Commission, who will have to evaluate the performance of the genco, can revoke its permit.
“I don’t want to point fingers as to who is to blame as it is not the proper time. Ayusun mona natin bago magturuan,” Garin stressed.
For his part, Usec. Marasigan disclosed that there will be no problem with the fuel supply for the NPC power plant as it will be sourced from the Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC) depot in Batangas at a discounted and landed cost of about P80 per liter.
The power rate will be the same as the Subsidized Approved Generation Rate (SAGR), with the additional cost to be shouldered by NPC, which is spending about P100 million for the 60-day contract.
Likewise, he expressed hope that the moto proprio investigation being conducted by NEA on the actions of the FICELCO Board of Directors will be resolved in six months.
“Somebody has to be responsible for the brownouts. We need accountability but after proper investigation,” Sec. Garin said,
On the other hand, TGP Rep. Teves bared that as early as April 2026 when intermittent brownouts began, he had already inquired from a FICELCO director and learned of the impending May 15 expiration of EPSA 1.
He said that he immediately wrote the President asking for an immediate solution and suggested that the national government take over the 5 mW gensets rented by SUWECO.
Teves said that since he started his political career as mayor of Baras, he has been advocating for affordable and adequate supply of electricity for Catanduanes.
In 2002, during a similar plague of brownouts lasting five hours daily, he pleaded with then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to put an end to the outages and the latter responded by sending a power barge to the island.