The Manila Electric Company (Meralco) said that it provided 40 generator sets to power key facilities to aid in the recovery efforts of Typhoon Yolanda which devastated a major portion of the Visayas. The utility added that its engineers and line personnel are currently in Panay Island, Iloilo to scope the extent of the damage and assess the assistance to be provided.
“We are currently assessing the situation in Panay for restoration of damaged electrical facilities. The objective is to be able to repair vital facilities at the shortest time possible to help these areas recover quickly. For the other areas especially the Samar-Leyte grid, we are coordinating with the various stakeholders to help as well in the restoration efforts,” said Senior Executive Vice President and Networks Head Ricardo V. Buencamino.
Its social development arm, One Meralco Foundation (OMF), is rallying its partners in mobilizing relief for the affected communities. OMF President and Meralco Chief CSR Officer Jeffrey Tarayao said that their first priority is to provide swift aid to the typhoon victims who are in immediate need of basic necessities. “We recognize the urgency of the situation and know the needs of those affected by Typhoon Yolanda. We are expediting the process in order for these victims to receive the aid coming from Meralco immediately,” said Tarayao. The Foundation is particularly reaching out to other towns receiving inadequate relief.
Tarayao shared that OMF has repacked 7,000 relief bags and has managed the MVP Tulong Kapatid Center inside the Meralco Compound in Ortigas Pasig City to receive relief goods. Hundreds of Meralco employees volunteered to help pack the donated goods.
“To date, we have distributed relief goods to the following areas: 500 relief bags to Alagang Kapatid in Tacloban, Leyte; 500 relief bags in Pinamalayan, Oriental Mindoro; 1,000 relief bags for Leyte; 1,000 relief bags for affected families of employees of various electric cooperatives in Leyte through the Consumers Alliance for Rural Energy (1 CARE); 1,000 relief bags in Javier, Leyte; 500 relief bags in Cullion, Palawan; 1,000 relief bags in Northern Iloilo; and 500 relief bags in Isabel, Leyte. We also donated PhP 5 Million to the TV5 Telethon for Typhoon Yolanda which was held last Sunday, November 10,” Tarayao revealed.