Meralco: Power still out for less than 400K customers due to Carina, Habagat

The Manila Electric Company (Meralco) on Thursday said “a little less than 400,000” customers still have no power in areas affected by Super Typhoon Carina and the enhanced Habagat.

Interviewed on Super Radyo dzBB, Meralco spokesperson Joe Zaldarriaga said electricity of around 324,000 customer were “deliberately disconnected due to severe flooding” in the following areas:

• Bulacan
• Valenzuela
• Mandaluyong
• Marikina
• Pasay
• Quezon City
• Rizal

Meanwhile, the number of customers still without power due to various issues such as tripped power lines or foreign objects obstructing transmission are around 68,000, according to the Meralco official.

Zaldarriaga said that Meralco will restore electricity in areas affected ”once it is safe.”

“Kailangan muna siguraduhin ang safety bago ibalik ang serbisyo ng kuryente (We have to ensure safety before restoring electricity services),” he said.

“Hind ‘yan instant (It’s not instant),” he added, noting that restoration of electricity is not automatic even if flooding subsides.

“But rest assured, babalik kapag safe na.”

The Metro Manila Council (MCC) declared a state of calamity in the National Capital Region amid the massive flooding caused by the Habagat and Typhoon Carina.

As of Thursday morning, Typhoon Carina has left the Philippine Area of Responsibility. PAGASA, however, said that it will continue to enhance the southwest monsoon that will bring moderate to intense rains over the western section of Luzon. --VAL, GMA Integrated News