More than 38,000 customers of the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) remained without electricity Monday morning, as the enhanced southwest monsoon and Tropical Cyclones Luis and Maymay continued to disrupt services and cause widespread damage.
As of 8 a.m. Monday, Meralco reported 38,672 customers still grappling with power interruptions, mostly caused by flooding and damaged facilities. Around 1,200 of these customers are situated in flooded areas. Most affected are customers in Cavite at 28,043, followed by Metro Manila with 3,293, Bulacan with 2,014, Rizal with 1,932, Laguna with 1,583, and Batangas with 591.
With monsoon rains persisting across its franchise area, Meralco said restoration teams are working around the clock to safely bring power back to affected areas.
“As we closely monitor the situation, we assure our customers that we are working round-the-clock to restore service to remaining affected customers as soon as possible,” said Joe Zaldarriaga, Meralco vice president and head of corporate communications.
The power firm also urged the public to strictly follow electrical safety precautions. Residents are warned to stay away from fallen power lines, damaged electrical facilities, and equipment submerged in floodwaters, and to report any dangerous electrical situations to Meralco immediately.
Customers in flooded areas are advised to turn off their main power switch or circuit breaker, and to ensure hands are dry before handling any electrical appliances or facilities. All wiring devices should be kept dry, and drenched outlets or appliances should be inspected by a licensed electrician prior to use. Meralco also recommended keeping communication lines open and mobile devices fully charged.
Meanwhile, the enhanced weather systems have so far caused an estimated P135.3 million in damages to the agriculture sector.
Meralco serves the entire National Capital Region, the provinces of Rizal, Bulacan, Cavite, parts of Laguna and Quezon, and three towns in Batangas.
