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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider Trade & Industry devider Meralco: Power outages stayed short despite heavy rains

Meralco: Power outages stayed short despite heavy rains

Published Aug 19, 2026 05:38 pm
Quick service restorations and limited power disruptions during sustained heavy rains across Metro Manila and nearby provinces highlight years of grid fortification that often go unnoticed, according to Manila Electric Co. (Meralco)
Joe Zaldariaga, Meralco vice president and head of corporate communications, said the relatively low number and brief duration of electricity interruptions reflect proactive infrastructure investments made long before severe weather strikes the franchise area.
“Resilience is not built during a storm. It is built through years of investment, regular maintenance and continuous strengthening of facilities,” Zaldariaga said in a statement on Wednesday, Aug. 19.
Line crews have worked continuously through persistent downpours, widespread flooding, and hazardous ground conditions to repair affected distribution assets.
The short-lived nature of many power cuts should be viewed against the severity and duration of the weather system rather than evaluated in isolation, Zaldariaga noted.
While rapid service restoration remains a priority, Meralco noted that operational speed is constrained by strict safety protocols. Crews frequently navigate submerged roadways, fallen trees, collapsed utility poles, and damaged electrical infrastructure.
Under severe downpours or active flooding, field personnel must pause operations until environmental conditions meet safety standards.
“Restoration must be as fast as possible, but never at the expense of worker and public safety,” Zaldariaga said.
He added that the muted impact of recent storms directly stems from pre-event capital expenditures, including routine network inspections, preventive equipment maintenance, replacement of aging assets, and aggressive vegetation management along power lines.
These invisible investments significantly reduce both the frequency and duration of unscheduled power outages.
When localized interruptions are resolved within a few hours despite days of continuous rainfall, it indicates that the distribution grid possesses sufficient structural integrity to absorb stress and that emergency protocols are operating effectively.
Meralco urged the public to exercise caution around flooded areas, maintain a safe distance from downed lines and compromised equipment, and report hazards promptly to facilitate priority dispatching.

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Manila Electric Co. (Meralco)
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