Power distributor Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) said it has significantly reduced the number of customers affected by service interruptions due to the prevailing inclement weather.
As of 9 a.m. Wednesday, July 23, Meralco reported that it had already restored power to approximately 12,000 customers, primarily in Cavite, Metro Manila, and Bulacan, where flooding remains a primary cause of outages.
Joe R. Zaldarriaga, Meralco vice president and head of corporate communications, stated that the power utility remains on full alert with the expected arrival of Tropical Depression “Dante” and the enhanced southwest monsoon, which are expected to bring heavy rains across its franchise area.
“We remain vigilant as we monitor the current weather conditions that affect our franchise area. We remain fully committed to restoring electricity service to all impacted customers as safely and swiftly as possible,” Zaldarriaga said.
He added, “Along with the Department of Energy, we also reiterate our call to continue practicing caution and follow electrical safety guidelines, especially in flood-affected areas.”
Beyond power restoration, Meralco has also extended assistance to residents severely impacted by the current weather situation.
Meralco Rescue teams have deployed high-bed trucks and motorized fiberglass boats to support both power restoration activities and broader rescue operations in flooded areas.
Furthermore, Meralco's social development arm has already initiated disaster relief efforts to aid affected communities.
The Department of Energy (DOE) earlier said that on-grid and off-grid power generation plants remain in normal operations, while the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) remains in normal operations.
Six electric cooperatives (ECs) are still experiencing partial power interruptions, with 171 out of 194 affected municipalities now energized.
These ECs undergoing full restoration are the Abra Electric Cooperative (ABRECO), Benguet Electric Cooperative (BENECO), Central Pangasinan Electric Cooperative, Inc. (CENPELCO), Pangasinan Electric Cooperatives I and II (PENELCO), and Batangas Electric Cooperative I (BATELEC I).
As of 8 a.m., the DOE reported that the Binga dam and the Ambuklao dam have undergone spilling operations due to the effects of the inclement weather.