Meralco inspects electric posts, attached wires

By Alena Mae S. Flores – September 10, 2023, 6:54 pm
from manilastandard.net

Power retailer Manila Electric Co. said over the weekend it is inspecting electric posts and attached wires to ensure public safety.

Meralco vice president and head of corporate communications Joe Zaldarriaga said the company immediately corrects instances of leaning posts and sagging wires.

“If it is not our facilities, we coordinate with the owners,” Zaldarriaga said.

He said Meralco is also conducting an aggressive pole clearing and pole replacement operations.

“We also inspect closely the pole attachments to determine if there are unauthorized or idle wires. I need not underscore the fact that these attachments, if remain unaddressed, compromises the integrity of our facility, and poses a danger to the community because of the risk of falling down,” Zaldarriga said.

Meralco also appealed to cable and telco companies to coordinate with the distribution utility and follow the process for wire attachment applications so that these can be properly assessed.

“Illegal wire attachments to our poles pose operational risks and endanger lives. We are appealing to telco and cable companies to secure the necessary approvals before attaching to our facilities. We also ask the public to help promote public safety by reporting incidents of illegal attachments to authorities,” Zaldarriaga said.

Meralco also reminded its qualified customers, particularly beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program and other marginalized households, to apply for the lifeline rate program to continue getting discounts on their electricity bills.

The government moved the full implementation of the program from September 2023 to January 2024.

Zaldarriaga said beneficiaries would not be able to avail of the lifeline rate discount if they failed to register with Meralco prior to the deadline.