Persistent problems with power and water supply are affecting the tourism industry in Oriental Mindoro, according to the 2026 Local Tourism Product and Market Survey, which was presented at the Oriental Mindoro Heritage Museum on September 2.
‘Our problem in power and water impact our tourism industry. Just like in Puerto Galera and other tourist destinations, the frequent brownouts and water shortage discourage tourist from coming back,’ said Dhon Calda, head of Oriental Mindoro’s Provincial Tourism Office (PTO) . In March, the local government of Puerto Galera declared a state of water emergency after its water sources were
declared non potable.
From January 1 to August 16 this year, a total of 684,622 tourists visited multiple destinations in the province, Calda said. The figure is lower than the 908,917 visitors in 2024 and the 1,035,705 guests in 2025.
The province’s total tourism sector revenue from 2024 to August 16 was P15,757,427,000, broken down to P6,251,413,000 in 2024, P6,392,732,500 last year, and P3,113,281,500 during the last 8 months.
Calda said the industry is expecting more tourist during the second peak season from October to December which could improve this year’s tourism performance.
Oriental Mindoro Electric Cooperative (Ormeco) Gen. Manager Engr. Humphrey Dolor conceded that power services has impacted tourism here. ‘It is correct that our power woes affect the industry but it is not the main contibutor. Look at Palawan, which has a worse power problem but their tourism industry is flourishing,’ Dolor said in a message to the Inquirer.
But he pressed for support in resolving the cooperative’s struggles and asked people to refrain from finger-pointing.