Amid the tremendous challenges that nations continue to face as a result of the ongoing global health crisis, the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) has been working alongside the government and the private sector in the fight against the highly transmissible and deadly COVID-19 virus.
As the country’s largest distribution utility, Meralco is responsible for about 55% of the Philippines’ energy sales despite serving only 3% of the country’s entire land area. The whole of its franchise area, which includes Metro Manila and its adjacent provinces, is home to around 30% of the country’s population, and generates around half of the Philippines’s gross domestic product (GDP).
Cognizant of its crucial role to provide a stable and reliable supply of power as the COVID-19 battle rages on, Meralco continued #KeepingTheLightsOn for all of its customers.
The electricity distributor has been powering through unprecedented challenges that tested how it brings service to its customers, how it drives innovations in its operations, and how it adapts to changes amidst seemingly incessant restrictions and lockdowns.
“Ensuring that our operations remain normal despite the pandemic while also prioritizing the safety of our customers and employees was really not an easy feat. But we, in Meralco, are committed to continue delivering stable and reliable electricity service even in the midst of the continuing challenges,” Meralco Senior Vice President and Head of Networks Ronnie L. Aperocho said.
“We will keep on investing in projects and facilities that will help us maintain a robust and resilient distribution network moving forward. As we work to meet the growing requirements of our customers, we will also continue to support the government in this pandemic battle, as we have done since day one, and in the recovery efforts thereafter,” he added.
Energization of various COVID-19 facilities
Meralco plays an important role in energizing vital COVID-19 facilities including hospitals, testing laboratories, quarantine and vaccination centers and vaccine storage facilities.
It recently energized a new primary metering facility connecting the Quirino Memorial Medical Center (QMMC) to the utility’s distribution line.
Located in Quezon City, QMMC is one of the many vital COVID-19 facilities in the Meralco franchise area. Such facilities are given the highest priority in terms of providing safe, adequate, and reliable supply of electricity, in line with the Company’s thrust to support the government’s continuing battle against the pandemic.
Through the Meralco COVID-19 Vaccine Roll-out Task Force, Meralco is closely monitoring in real-time all circuits serving these vital facilities, which allows the distributor to respond faster to any unforeseen outage.
To date, over 160 COVID-19 facilities have already been energized and the list expands as the government ramps up booster inoculation activities and vaccination of the younger population.
Support to infrastructure development
As the Philippines moves towards post-pandemic recovery efforts, Meralco also recognizes the importance of continuing infrastructure development to back the government’s push for economic recovery and long-term growth.
The distribution utility ensures that network facilities are in place for timely construction of some major transportation projects, including the EDSA Common Station, LRT-1 Cavite Extension, MRT-7, NLEX-SLEX Connector Road, Skyway Stage 2 Extension Project, and Skyway Stage 3.
To further support the government’s Build, Build, Build (BBB) program, Meralco conducts pole relocation activities. As of December 2021, the Company has already relocated 1,483 out of 1,780 poles covered by priority BBB projects across its franchise area.
In addition, Meralco also retired a record 2,014 poles in 2021 to support road widening projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways and various local government units within the franchise area.
For the BGC-Ortigas Road Link alone, which was opened to the public in September 2021, Meralco completed sub-transmission line, overhead and underground distribution works, and relocation of 116 poles to give way for road widening activities along Fairlane and Brixton streets in Pasig City.
Strengthening of distribution network
Meralco also continues to upgrade its facilities to make sure that these can adequately and efficiently serve its customers’ growing power requirements.
Last year, the Company upgraded and expanded several substations in a bid to address critical loading issues, improve system reliability and voltage regulation, reduce system loss, and provide additional capacity in San Pablo City in Laguna; and Pulilan and Cruz na Daan in Bulacan.
Meralco also replaced its ageing transformer bank at its Dolores Substation to improve flexibility, system reliability, and voltage regulation in Antipolo City and municipalities of Binangonan, Tanay, and Cardona in Rizal.
Meralco also expanded its Cainta Substation to provide additional capacity, switching flexibility, and reliability during incidents in Cainta and nearby cities of Pasig and Marikina. This upgrade also benefits some of Meralco’s large load customers including Pharmaserve, a COVID-19 storage facility.
To prevent widespread and prolonged power interruptions and provide adequate capacity to meet increasing power demand in Cavite, Meralco also expanded its substation in the municipality of Amadeo.
In December last year, the Company started a Mobile Distribution Transformer project intended to eliminate sustained power interruptions across its franchise area. The project is also expected to shorten planned and unplanned power interruptions, which will eventually result to improved customer satisfaction.
These are just some of Meralco’s major projects to ensure that all of its 7.4 million customers will get stable and reliable electricity service.
Apart from these, Meralco conducts regular maintenance activities such as line reconductoring works, line reconstruction works, line conversion works, and installation of additional lightning protection devices.
Despite the series of lockdowns and quarantine restrictions implemented by the government, Meralco continues its round-the-clock operations. Its crews remain on standby 24/7 ready to respond to emergency situations.
To minimize any COVID-related risks, Meralco encourages its customers to use the Company’s digital platforms like Meralco Online and the Meralco App as exposure-free ways in communicating their concerns. Meralco can also be reached through Facebook Messenger, Twitter, and the 16211 hotline.
For concerns that need to be handled in person, the best option is to book an appointment through their Online Customer Appointment system. Rest assured, safety and health protocols will be adhered to while inside Meralco Business Centers.