50,000 Meralco customers still in the dark

MANILA, Philippines – Over 50,000 Manila Electric Company (Meralco) customers continue to have no power supply as of Saturday noon, September 20, the public utility firm said.

Meralco said that as of Saturday noon, a total of 54,215 of its customers in Metro Manila and Bulacan remained without power supply following the impact of tropical storm Mario which caused power outages in some of its service areas.

The number of Meralco customers without power supply represents 1.02% of its entire customer base.

“Hopefully, majority of the affected areas will be restored before the day ends,” said Meralco spokesperson Joe Zaldarriaga, who added that the utility firm continues to monitor its service areas to ensure the safety of their consumers.

Zaldariaga said that power in some areas in Quezon City, Manila, Marikina, Rizal and Bulacan have yet to be fully restored.

Meralco services Metro Manila, Cavite, Rizal, Bulacan, and some parts of Batangas, Laguna and Quezon.

On Friday afternoon, September 19, more than 200,000 households – nearly 4% of Meralco’s 5.5 million customer base – had no power supply due to incessant rains.

Meanwhile, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), reported that its Famy-Infanta 69-kilovolt transmission line was damaged by tropical storm Mario.

It also said its Magapit – Sta.Ana 69-kV line had been restored.

The NGCP said it continues to inspect, assess, and repair its lines and facilities affected by the passage of the typhoon. Inspection and restoration of lines in the affected areas are in full swing, it added. – Rappler.com