Meralco completes power restoration in Metro Manila

MANILA, Philippines — Electricity has been fully restored in Metro Manila and nearby provinces affected by outages caused by monsoon rains, according to the Manila Electric Co.

Meralco said power restoration was completed on Tuesday for the remaining 2,000 customers, most of whom were in areas hit hardest by heavy rainfall and flooding.

The restoration marked a full recovery from the disruptions, which affected around 10,000 customers on Monday.

Meralco vice president and head of corporate communications Joe Zaldarriaga said advance preparations and regular maintenance helped limit the impact of the inclement weather on the company’s distribution network.

“Our crews and field personnel are working overtime to address concerns and safely restore power in areas affected by the habagat,” Zaldarriaga said, stressing that the utility giant remained on the ground until power was restored to the last affected customer.

He said the short power outages during prolonged rains and flooding proved that restoration mechanisms are working.

“Restoration must be fast, but not at the expense of workers and public safety. The short outages reflect the investment made by the company,” Zaldarriaga said. “Regular inspection, preventive maintenance and replacement of aging facilities help reduce the duration of outages. These are investments customers do not usually see, because they happen before an outage occurs.”

Meralco, which serves more than eight million customers within its franchise area, also continues to closely monitor weather conditions amid forecasts of continued rainfall throughout the week.

The company reminded the public to practice electrical safety measures, particularly in areas affected by flooding and severe weather conditions.

They are urged to stay away from downed power lines, damaged poles and electrical facilities, especially those that have been destroyed or submerged in floodwaters.

After the floodwaters recede, Meralco said customers should wear rubber gloves and rubber-soled shoes when cleaning mud and debris from service equipment, the main circuit breaker or fuse and its enclosure.

“Customers should not turn on flood-damaged electrical appliances and should have licensed electricians check appliances and wiring systems before using them again,” Meralco said.

Meanwhile, the One Meralco Foundation has deployed employee volunteers to support relief efforts in communities hit by monsoon rains. The foundation has provided assistance to more than 1,400 families in Bulacan and Cavite.