170,000 Meralco customers still languishing in the dark

MANILA, Philippines – About 170, 000 flood-hit customers of the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) in Metro Manila and other areas still have no electricity as of  late Thursday afternoon, the power distribution firm said.

Meralco has about 500,000 customers.

In a text message, Meralco spokesman Joe Zaldarriaga, however, could not say when the restoration of power in affected areas will be completed.

Currently, he said Meralco’s top priority is the safety of customers.

“It will depend on how fast the flood water recedes…,” he said.

Zaldarriaga said Meralco’s 2, 200 “full manpower” have been deployed to flood devastated areas to ensure the safety of its customers. He said Meralco’s crewmen will rush the repair of damaged power lines and transformers in some affected areas if condition permits.