After Villars’ exit, Cebu’s Garcia-Escaño’s Vivant to supply Siquijor power

MANILA, Philippines – Cebu-based Vivant Energy, a power firm of one of Cebu’s old rich families, will be Siquijor’s electricity provider for 15 years, ending the province’s search for a stable power provider following an energy crisis in 2025.

The development came after Vivant Energy — a subsidiary of Cebu-based power and water conglomerate Vivant Corporation — won a competitive selection process conducted by the Province of Siquijor Electric Cooperative (PROSIELCO). The power supply agreement was signed on December 30 last year.

In a statement, PROSIELCO said, “This partnership aims to enhance power reliability and ensure long-term energy security for the entire province of Siquijor. This agreement reflects a shared commitment to providing stable, sustainable, and dependable electricity for our communities — supporting economic growth and improving the quality of life of every Siquijodnon.”

The Garcia-Escaño family of Cebu owns around 76% of Vivant Corporation. The company has been involved in power generation, distribution, and retail electricity since the 1900s when the family took over the Visayan Electric Company Inc. (VECO), power supplier of Cebu City and its surrounding towns. VECO is the Philippines’ second largest privately owned electric power distribution utility.

Vivant Corporation president and COO Emil Andre Garcia. Photo courtesy of Vivant Corp. Facebook

Among the Garcias in Vivant Corporation are Francis Damasus A. Garcia as chairman of the board; Ramontito E. Garcia as vice chairman of the board; and Emil Andre Garcia as president. Vivant’s CEO is Arlo A.G. Sarmiento, a nephew of Ramontito. 

VIVANT EXECS. Francis Damasus A. Garcia, Vivant Corp. chairman of the board (left) and Ramontito E. Garcia, vice chairman of the board of Vivant Corp. Photos courtesy of Vivant Corp. website.

Under the 15-year agreement, Vivant will supply the entire province, contracting 11 megawatts of capacity from its diesel power plant located in Barangay Bogo in the municipality of Maria. It will supply power to the towns of Larena, Lazi, Maria, San Juan, Enrique Villanueva, and Siquijor.

“We are excited about this partnership and we are hopeful that upon completion of the power plant, households and businesses will gain access to stable and dependable electricity,” said PROSIELCO general manager Glenn Galvan in a statement on Friday, January 2.

“It has long been Vivant Energy’s thrust to prioritize areas that are largely underserved,” Vivant Energy vice president for off-grid solutions Eric Omamalin said.

Last year, residents and business owners complained of the power outages, which lasted up to 20 hours a day, hurting the people’s daily lives and the island’s tourism. At the time, the province was served by the Siquijor Island Power Corporation (SIPCOR), owned by the Villar family.

In June 2025, the provincial government of Siquijor declared a state of calamity after a month of daily power outages.

About two months later, the government shut down SIPCOR for “operational and regulatory” violations. It was replaced by TotalPower Inc., which was under an emergency power supply agreement only.

Siquijor, part of the Negros Island Region in the Visayas, needs reliable power to sustain its economic growth. It is an emerging tourism destination in the Philippines. – Rappler.com

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