The Manila Electric Company (Meralco) is nearing the full restoration of electricity service across its franchise areas after Typhoon Uwan battered Luzon over the weekend, plunging several communities into darkness. As of 9:00 p.m. on November 10, the number of affected customers dropped sharply to around 72,000 — less than one percent of Meralco’s total customer base — signaling the near completion of the utility’s massive power restoration efforts.
Meralco’s line crews have been working round-the-clock, wading through floodwaters, clearing fallen trees, and repairing downed power lines to safely bring electricity back to homes and businesses. Most of the remaining affected customers are located in Cavite, Bulacan, and Rizal, while smaller pockets of outages persist in parts of Metro Manila, Laguna, Quezon, and Batangas.
“Our crews have been working tirelessly since the height of Typhoon Uwan, ensuring that restoration is done as quickly and safely as possible,” said Meralco Vice President and Head of Corporate Communications Joe R. Zaldarriaga. “Despite challenging conditions on the ground, our personnel have shown extraordinary dedication to serve our customers and bring back normalcy to their lives.”
Zaldarriaga highlighted that many of Meralco’s linemen and engineers faced long hours in difficult terrain, some even spending nights in the field to complete urgent repairs. He noted that Meralco’s investment in preparedness and system improvements helped minimize damage and speed up recovery efforts despite the typhoon’s strength.
Beyond restoring power, Meralco’s social development arm, One Meralco Foundation, has begun mobilizing employee-volunteers for disaster response and relief operations in areas hardest hit by Uwan. These volunteers will help distribute aid and support communities as they recover from the storm’s impact.
Meralco also urged the public to continue observing safety precautions during the restoration process, especially avoiding contact with damaged power lines or electrical equipment submerged in floodwaters. Customers are encouraged to report power outages and related concerns through Meralco’s official Facebook page (www.facebook.com/meralco), Twitter (@meralco), text hotlines 0920-9716211 and 0917-5516211, or by calling the Meralco Hotline at 16211.
From working through harsh weather to ensuring safety amid chaos, Meralco’s crews have once again demonstrated the Filipino spirit of resilience and service — lighting up communities when it matters most.