360,684 STILL WITHOUT ELECTRICITY

Meralco report: Majority of customers without power are in Bulacan

While a huge percentage of customers in its service areas have been re-energized, thousands of Meralco customers in Bulacan are still without power as of Friday afternoon.

As of 2 p.m., a total of 360,684 Meralco customers remain without electricity. This is an improvement from the nearly four million who lost power during the peak of Typhoon Ulysses’ onslaught early Thursday morning.

Majority of those affected are in Bulacan at 184,285, most of which are in San Ildefonso (40,044) and San Jose del Monte City (35,988).

Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said the restoration of services in the entire franchise area of Meralco is targeted to be finished by Sunday, November 15. 

“Meralco works round-the-clock to restore electricity service in parts of Metro Manila and nearby provinces,” the power distributor said.

The company said its line crews continue to work on restoring electricity services in areas that remain without electricity.

Meralco spokesperson Joe Zaldarriaga said restoration may take a little longer for areas with severe flooding and where Meralco’s distribution facilities sustained heavy damages such as toppled poles, downed wires and damaged transformers.

“Rest assured, our line crews will continue with the restoration works. We appeal for everyone’s continuous understanding and patience, as our crews work to bring back power service at the soonest possible time,” Zaldarriaga said. — RSJ, GMA News