Meralco: Over 500,000 customers hit by power interruptions due to Kristine

Over half-a-million customers of the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) have been affected by power service interruptions amid the onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine.

In an advisory, Meralco said that as of 8 a.m. on October 24, "around 535,000 customers are affected by service interruptions."

Affected customers are mostly in the provinces of Cavite and Laguna, according to the power distributor.

"There are also some in parts of Rizal, Quezon, Batangas, while the rest are in Metro Manila and Bulacan," Meralco said.

According to its corporate profile, Meralco services 39 cities and 72 municipalities. Its franchise area accounts for 55% of the country's electricity output, the power distribution utility said.

Meralco called on its customers to observe utmost safety amid the weather disturbance. It provided the following home safety tips for residents affected by the severe tropical storm:

• Ensure that the main electrical power switch or circuit breaker is off. Be sure to be dry when being in contact with any electrical facility.
• Unplug appliances from wall sockets. Turn off permanently connected equipment and unscrew all light bulbs if possible.
• Remove mud and dirt from service equipment or main circuit breaker/fuse and its enclosure using rubber gloves and rubber-soled shoes.
• Make sure that all electrical wires, connectors, and other wiring devices are completely dry.
• When all electrical wires and accessories have dried and are clean, the wiring system of all appliances must be checked by a licensed electrician. Do not turn on flood-damaged electrical appliances.

"Rest assured that we are closely monitoring the situation and our crews are working non-stop to restore service as soon as possible. We urge everyone to prioritize safety and take necessary precautions during this time," said Meralco vice president and head of Corporate Communications Joe Zaldarriaga.

To report power outages and other concerns, customers may reach Meralco through its official social media pages on Facebook and Twitter, the company said.

Meralco added that customers may also text their concerns to 0920- 9716211 and 0917-5516211 or contact the Meralco Hotline at 16211 and 8631-1111. — VDV, GMA Integrated News