Meralco’s nine-month performance showcased massive service improvements

Two years into the coronavirus outbreak, there is no denying that the world has changed. At the onset of the pandemic in 2020, governments all around the world scrambled to find ways to contain the pandemic.

The virus also unleashed a deadly blow to the global economy, disrupting supply chains and forcing businesses to halt operations.

The power industry was not spared from the effects of the pandemic. Industry players had to think quickly and strategically about how to adapt to the new normal.

Power distribution utilities like the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) had to ensure that safeguards are in place so that operations regain stability at the soonest possible time as it put even more important to the health and safety of its customers and employees.

The current situation also underscored the importance of continuous, reliable, sufficient, and cost-competitive electricity supply that is necessary to carry out the efforts to fight COVID-19, to help businesses recover, and to sustain the needs of the people who are working from home.

Meralco Shifting To Eco-friendly Distribution Transformers

The shift will make distribution transformers run more efficiently, operate more safely, and be more eco-friendly.

With their goal for a greener and more sustainable Meralco, the power company will begin to retrofill existing transformers with natural ester oil.

The sweltering heat of recent months took its toll not only on the millions who live and work in Meralco’s sprawling franchise area but on power distribution equipment as well, resulting in some power interruptions during the summer. The sharp surge in consumption of residential customers due to work from home arrangement and community quarantine exacerbated the situation. 

#ChooseToMbrace: Meralco celebrates International Women’s Day

The Manila Electric Company (Meralco) joined many around the world in proudly celebrating International Women’s Day (IWD). IWD recognizes women’s social, economic, cultural, and political achievements and marks a call to action for raising awareness on gender diversity and inclusion.

Held annually every March 8th, this year’s IWD campaign was themed Choose To Challenge – a beckon for everyone to call out gender bias and inequality, to choose, seek out, and celebrate women’s accomplishments, and to help in creating a more inclusive world.

LKI Luds Extension Of ‘No Disconnection Policy'

In the recent statement submitted by consumer group Laban Konsyumer Inc. (LKI), the advocacy organization and its President Atty. Vic Dimagiba said “our group would like to commend the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) as they said on Monday that it is continuing the suspension of all disconnection activities in its franchise area until April 30, 2021 following the Government’s announcement placing the National Capital Region, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal under a Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) until the end of the month. We hope that other utilities follow this example as well.”

LKI highlighted that “Especially since MECQ has been established and many workers still have no means to pay their bills, to protect consumer welfare, DUs like Meralco, in this case, show true compassion for the everyday citizen as they will continue to put on hold all disconnection activities until April 30.”

Meralco aids power restoration in typhoon-hit Catanduanes

POWERING CATANDUANES. Meralco and First Catanduanes
Electric Cooperative crews work arm in arm around
the clock to repair severely damaged poles and
fast-track power restoration efforts in Catanduanes,
one of the provinces most severely affected by the impact of super typhoon Rolly.

The Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) sent a team of line crews and equipment to assist repairing power infrastructures damaged by super typhoon Rolly and expedite the restoration in the province of Catanduanes.

A 48-man contingent composed of Meralco linemen and engineers and One Meralco Foundation (OMF) volunteers were enlisted to be part of the Power Restoration Rapid Deployment (PRRD)-Task Force 2020, which closely coordinates with the Department of Energy (DOE), National Electrification Administration (NEA), Philippine Rural Electric Cooperatives Association Inc. (Philreca), and the Electric Cooperatives in Catanduanes.

Power Rates Down Again This June

The Manila Electric Company (Meralco) announced earlier this month that power rates have decreased by P0.0216 per kilowatt hour (kWh) for a typical household.

From last month’s P8.7468 per kWh to P8.7252 per kWh this June, the reduction is equivalent to around P4 in the total bill of residential customers consuming 200 kWh.

According to Meralco, there has been three straight months of generation rate reduction, and a total rate decrease of more than one peso per kWh since the start of the year.