Meralco restores power supply in Binondo after electric poles collapsed
Photo from MDRRMO/MANILA BULLETIN
The city government of Manila announced on Friday, August 4, that the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) has restored the power supply in Binondo after electrical poles collapsed on August 3. The city government said six new Meralco posts were installed at 11:30 a.m. on Friday to replace the fallen poles. According to Manila Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (MDRRMO) Director Arnel Angeles the old posts could no longer handle the load of the tangled cables attached to them. The incident also caused minor injuries to three individuals. MDRRMO said the victims were given first aid and were able to go home on Thursday. The Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau (MTPB) had temporarily closed the roads leading to Ongpin and Quintin Paredes Streets near Binondo Church due to the toppled electric posts. The roads were reopened at 7:20 p.m. on Thursday. "Clearing of collapsed structures and damaged properties are now cleared as of the stated time," the advisory read. Meanwhile, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) coordinated with MDRRMO and Manila Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW) for the inspection of other posts in Binondo. It urged all local government units (LGUs) to inspect electric posts, construction sites, billboards, and other similar installations that may fall during heavy rains to prevent similar incidents from happening again.