Meralco clarifies power interruptions due to maintenance activities, no power supply shortage

Pangilinan-led Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) on Wednesday clarified that there is no supply shortage, as the recent power interruptions were due to scheduled maintenance activities.

"Wala po tayong power supply shortage. Ang mga ginagawa po namin, itong mga nakikita niyong announcements from our end, are business as usual weekly schedules of maintenance activities done by Meralco," Meralco Spokesperson Joe Zaldarriaga said at a press conference in Pasig City.

His remarks come after the service provider announced power interruptions in select locations under its service area.

"I'd just like to clarify na unang-una po, wala po itong kinalaman sa issue ng shortage ng supply," said Zaldarriaga.

"I'd just like to assure all our customers that our power situation is normal. Wala ho tayong problema as far as supply is concerned. This is just scheduled maintenance activities as announced," he added.

According to Zaldarriaga,  the maintenance activities — which can run from 30 minutes to up to eight hours depending on their nature — are done to ensure that the company's distribution facilities remain strong to be able to withstand natural calamities.

"Kung kailangan palitan na poste, kailangan ilatag na linya, kailangan i-relocate, iba't ibang dahilan niyan, pero ang pinaka-objective is to really strengthen our distribution system to enusre that in any event of a calamity or weather disturbance ay kakayanin namin," he said.

"Once na magkaroon ng interruption for a very long time hindi na to mauulit, so it's a one-time interruption schedule," he explained, noting that the interruptions are only done to small pocket areas where maintenance activities are needed. — MDM, GMA News