Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda has urged national agencies, utility providers, telecommunications firms, and local government units to unify their efforts in resolving the persistent electricity and internet service disruptions plaguing Antique and Aklan.
During a high-level briefing held at the Senate on May 28, Legarda convened major stakeholders to address the structural deficiencies in energy generation, transmission, distribution, and digital infrastructure.
Co-organized with the Aklan Information Communications and Technology Council, the meeting gathered officials from the Department of Energy (DOE), National Electrification Administration (NEA), National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), regional electric cooperatives, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), and telecom executives to map out consumer-friendly solutions.
Legarda stressed that grid reliability and digital access are deeply intertwined, directly impacting education, local commerce, and the region’s vital tourism industry.
“We know how electricity and internet affect daily life. They affect children studying, small businesses earning, and tourists visiting our provinces. These two are also connected because internet service depends heavily on reliable power. That is why we have to complete the substations, power lines, and last-mile electrification projects, but we must look for ways that it will not suddenly add to the burden of consumers,” Legarda said.
Data from the briefing showed that Panay Island’s energy vulnerabilities are multi-faceted. The NGCP reported an 87-megawatt deficit exacerbated by the unscheduled shutdown of a 150-megawatt power plant, prompting the DOE to call for greater reserve capacities and new energy investments. To mitigate future shortages, the NGCP committed to finalizing the critical Nabas-Caticlan-Boracay transmission project by August 2026 to stabilize electricity in Aklan and Boracay Island.
Beyond generation shortfalls, Legarda pointed out that local blackouts are often tied to ongoing infrastructure upgrades by electric cooperatives. NEA and local distributors pledged to accelerate these modernizations, prioritize vital installations, and fast-track pending project approvals with the Energy Regulatory Commission.
Turning to digital connectivity, Legarda scrutinized the state of internet access in remote areas, referencing her previous sponsorship of Free Wi-Fi for All sites across 150 villages in Antique, as well as her personal donations of Starlink satellite units.
She urged the DICT and local officials to ensure the upkeep and optimization of these assets.
Telecom providers pledged to boost infrastructure through fiber network expansion and satellite backups, but requested that local governments eliminate bureaucratic roadblocks and expedite permitting processes.
“We also asked our local governments to help make it easier for telecommunications providers to invest and build in our communities. There should be no unnecessary costs, requirements, or delays. If these happen, I asked the providers to immediately let us know so we can help address them. At the same time, DICT committed to support internet services in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas, while the service providers committed to continue investing in infrastructure and improving their services for the needs of Antique and Aklan,” Legarda said.
Legarda concluded by emphasizing that sustainable regional growth requires an integrated, Panay Island-wide approach to energy security and digital development to uplift the quality of life for all residents.