Metro Manila, Philippines — More than half a million customers of Manila Electric Company (Meralco) are without power in the aftermath of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine.
Meralco said the power interruption affected a peak of 535,000 customers on Thursday morning, Oct. 24, and has declined to 389,000 by 4 p.m., Meralco said. said Joe Zaldarriaga, Meralco vice president and head of corporate communications.
Joe Zaldarriaga, Meralco vice president and head of corporate communications, said broken branches and fallen trees damaged power facilities.
“We expect this (number of affected customers) to go down further as the day progresses,” Zaldarriaga said, citing non-stop clearing and power restoration operations.
“We urge everyone to prioritize safety and take necessary precautions during this time,” he also said.
Meralco told its customers to report power outages and other concerns through their social media pages.
The company’s contact numbers are 0920-9716211, 0917-5516211, and hotline at 16211 and 8631-1111.
Affected electric co-op customers
Meanwhile, the National Electrification Administration (NEA) reported that as of 1 p.m. on Wednesday, around 970,000 consumer connections have yet to be restored.
The agency said it was monitoring 86 electric cooperatives from 52 provinces and 12 regions.
“There are 726 out of 1035 (70.14%) municipalities energized,” the NEA said.
It said initial damage cost tallied from Nueva Ecija II Electric Cooperative, Inc.-Area 1, Tablas Island Electric Cooperative, Inc., and Leyte V Electric Cooperative, Inc. was at over P970,000.
Severe Tropical Storm Kristine made landfall in Divilacan, Isabela early Thursday morning. It is moving away from landmass in waters off Ilocos Sur.
