Manila: Over 167,000 customers of Manila Electric Company (Meralco) were affected by power interruptions due to the onslaught of the southwest monsoon, locally known as 'habagat'. In a press release Tuesday, Meralco reported that around 101,676 of the affected customers are from Metro Manila, while about 43,180 are from Bulacan, 16,015 from Cavite, 6,391 from Rizal, 103 from Laguna, 15 from Batangas, and two from Quezon.

According to Philippines News Agency, Meralco has appealed for patience and understanding from its customers, as heavy floods have led to disruptions in power services. Joe Zaldarriaga, Meralco vice president and head of corporate communications, assured that the safety of customers and line crews is the top priority. Power will be restored in the affected areas once the floodwaters recede and it is deemed safe to do so.

For any power outage concerns, Meralco encourages customers to contact them through their Facebook and Twitter pages, or by calling their hotline at 16211 and other numbers, 0920-9716211 and 0917-5516211.

The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) confirmed that all transmission lines remain in normal operation despite the heavy rainfall. Energy Assistant Secretary Mario Marasigan, during an interview on PTV's Integrated State Media special coverage, mentioned that transmission facilities are operating normally amid continuous rains from the habagat, which are causing flooding and affecting power distribution.

Marasigan emphasized that while the Department of Energy (DOE) cannot compel Meralco to restore power immediately due to safety concerns, it is actively monitoring the situation and providing guidance to expedite power restoration. He reassured the public that the DOE, as part of the task force on energy resiliency, is closely monitoring the situation alongside the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and the National Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) to ensure an adequate supply of power and fuel.