MARINDUQUE, Philippines – Young people in Marinduque, who had voted for the first time in 2025, are calling on the new governor to do something about the frequent power interruptions, limited water supply, lack of reliable hospitals, and threats to the environment confronting the province.
Governor-elect Mel Go (PDP-Laban) beat outgoing congressman Lord Allan Velasco in the gubernatorial race. (READ: Velasco dynasty falls in Marinduque)
Better basic utilities
“There is always power interruption, plus there is a scarcity of water supply…. When there is no power, mostly there is also no water,” 18-year-old Gian Alcanzarin said in Filipino, pointing out that water supply is dependent on electric pumps.
Hospitals services, local businesses, stores, and household chores are also halted when power interruption occurs.
In an interview before the May 12 election, Go said providing stable electricity would be one of his priorities, and that he planned to build the province’s own power plant. He said it would be more effective, cost-efficient, and sustainable in the long run compared to the costly generators currently being used.
He said the project was initiated by the late former governor Carmencita Reyes before she left public office.
Through the initiative of Velasco and the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines, the Energy Regulatory Commission approved the Quezon-Marinduque Interconnection Project (QMIP) on October 16, 2024. It was P5.2-billion project set to be finished by May 2029, that aimed at connecting the province to a Philippine power transmission system through a 70-kilometer transmission line, including submarine cables under Tayabas Bay in Quezon province.
Improved healthcare services and facilities
“Our town (Santa Cruz) and province is being left behind when it comes to healthcare and hospital facilities. Every time people get sick, patients have to travel to Lucena or Manila for treatment,” said an 18-year-old college student who asked not to be identified.
There are four provincial hospitals in Marinduque: two in Boac and one each in Santa Cruz and Torrijos. However, not all services are available, resulting in residents having to seek healthcare outside the province.
Governor-elect Go, who will take his oath on June 30, said he would prioritize for now getting more nurses and doctors over continuous infrastructural projects. He believes hospitals will not only help the people but is a key figure for economic development, opening doors for investors and improving tourism opportunities.
In his experience abroad, he met many Marinduqueños in the medical field who are willing to volunteer and work for hospitals in the province. However, they fear their expertise will not be of good use without enough resources and facilities in Marinduque.
Sustainable and safe Marinduque
Sofia Bayona, a 19-year old college student, said, “I hope mining in the province remains closed, and the road widening stops. They may be beneficial, but many homes and individuals are affected because part of their lands are taken for the project.
In another interview after he won the election, Go promised to focus on sustaining the environment and natural resources, lessening road-widening projects, and the cleaning of remains from the 1996 Marcopper Mining incident left in Boac River. – Rappler.com
Lorence Joshua Soto is a student journalist from Marinduque. He is also an Aries Rufo Journalism Fellowship candidate from April-May 2025.