Manila The Manila Electric Company (Meralco) reported that the severe tropical storm Kristine affected nearly half a million customers within its service area.
In a statement on Thursday, Oct. 24, Meralco noted that 535,000 consumers experienced service interruptions across parts of Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, Quezon, Batangas, Metro Manila, and Bulacan.
Joe Zaldarriaga, Meralco Vice President and Head of Corporate Communications, assured the public that the power utility is working around the clock to restore electricity to affected residents.
“We are closely monitoring the situation, and our crews are working non-stop to restore service as quickly as possible,” he said. “We urge everyone to prioritize safety and take necessary precautions during this time.”
On Wednesday, the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Task Force on Energy Resiliency (TFER) announced that 970,814 consumer connections were affected by power outages and interruptions.
To ensure safety, Meralco advised the public to turn off power switches or circuit breakers when necessary and to ensure that they are dry when handling any electrical equipment. Appliances should be unplugged from wall sockets, and any connected devices or light bulbs should be turned off if possible.
When handling service equipment, it is important to remove any mud and dirt and to wear rubber gloves or rubber-soled shoes for added protection.
Meralco also emphasized that individuals should only handle electrical wires, connectors, and other wiring devices when they are dry. If in doubt, it is best to have these checked by a licensed electrician. Electrical appliances damaged by flooding should not be turned back on.
For any concerns, Meralco's hotline is available for reporting power outages through its social media pages and hotlines: 16211 and 8631-1111. Additionally, customers may text their concerns to 0920-9716211 or 0917-5516211.