The Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) has extended assistance to hasten power restoration activities and aid the families severely affected by the onslaught of typhoon “Egay.”
The company promptly coordinated with the local government unit of Ilocos Norte and local power distributor Ilocos Norte Electric Cooperative (INEC) and deployed 32 engineers and line crew to help in power restoration and conduct clearing operations.
The Meralco contingent, who arrived on July 30, brought with them an essential fleet of vehicles to expedite the power restoration process in the province. These include four pickup trucks, which will be used to survey and assess damage; four basket trucks for the installation of power lines; and one stake truck and two cranes for the erection of new poles.
The team is also equipped with six generator sets and 12 LED flood lights that will enable them to carry out restoration works safely and seamlessly even during nighttime.
Meralco is continuously coordinating with the local government and other electric cooperatives. There is a 22-man contingent on standby, two basket trucks and three stake trucks ready to be deployed should additional help be deemed necessary.
Beyond aiding in power restoration, the company’s social development arm, One Meralco Foundation (OMF), along with the MVP Group of Companies, also mobilized a relief operation to cater to the immediate needs and provide necessary relief to the affected and displaced residents in devastated areas.
The MVP Group has so far donated 1,150 relief packs, water filtration devices, hundreds of six-liter bottles of clean water, 550 health kits, and a mWell OnTheGo package, which OMF brought to Ilocos Norte on July 29.
OMF is currently onsite and closely working with the local government unit representatives to ensure efficient distribution of the donations.
"We continue to provide support, especially in areas badly hit by super typhoon Egay. Hopefully, in our small way, we can help affected communities recover and rebuild, providing them the resources they need to cope in this difficult time," Meralco Vice President and Head of Corporate Communications Joe R. Zaldarriaga said.