Meralco widens power shut-offs in Metro Manila, nearby provinces

Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) has shut off power in more areas in the National Capital Region, which includes Metro Manila and nearby provinces, as strong rains and flooding dumped by Tropical Storm Mario continued to battered the main island of Luzon.

 

Electricity has been cut off in Manila, Malabon, Marikina, Navotas, Parañaque, Pasay, Quezon City and Valenzuela, the power distributor said in an emailed statement Friday. 

 

The number of affected customers reached 137,946, or about 2.6 percent of Meralco customers as of 1 p.m. in its franchise area.

 

Power in some areas in Rizal province, including Antipolo, Cainta, Baras, Binangonan, Cardona, Jala-jala, Morong, Teresa, Tanay, San Mateo, Pililla and Rodriguez are without power. 

 

In Bulacan, power was shut down in Meycauayan.

 

"Electricity circuits are turned off in low-lying areas where there is severe flooding," Meralco said in the statement.

 

"There is a possibility that affected electrical circuits may affect electricity supply in nearby areas where there is no visible flooding," it said.

 

The distribution utility asked its customers to understand the situation and that the power cut offs were done as safety measure. Power will be restored once the floods subside, the company said.

 

Meanwhile, Meralco said it is ready to respond to emergency reports. “Crews are on standby to attend to any trouble that may affect our facilities in areas that might be affected by severe flooding."

 

Earlier in the day, Meralco switched off power in at least four areas in Quezon City due to severe flooding. – Danessa O. Rivera/VS, GMA News