Meralco: 100% coverage of unserved sites by end-2020

THE Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) said it will achieve 100-percent electrification in all 118 identified unserved and underserved sites covered by its franchise within next year.

“Meralco has intensified its electrification program since the second quarter of 2019 to attain 100-percent electrification of its franchise area by 2020. The focus now is to provide distribution and connective service to underserved and unserved customers in Metro Manila and Batangas. To date, additional 38 sites were already energized,” said the utility firm in a report.

The 118 sites consist of 15,969 households, with total spending to reach P267,186,128.00. Of the 118 sites, 81 sites (12,839 households) are in Metro Manila and 37 (3,130 households) in Batangas.

Meralco has so far energized 19 sites. Of these, 13 are located north of Metro Manila, one in the central part of the metropolis, four sites in the southern part and one in Batangas.

The report said there is ongoing construction in 27 sites—with 22 in Metro Manila and five in Batangas.

Also, it has completed right-of-way acquisition and project design in 41 sites located in Metro Manila and 30 in Batangas. Meralco said one site in Batangas is still being evaluated.

Meralco’s electrification program within its franchise area originally

identified 130 sites. However, 12 sites were excluded due to demolished residences, ongoing land disputes, bans by local government units, refusal of Meralco facilities by private property owners and those with legal issues.

“We are working very hard to address these hurdles and to extend our facilities and serve these areas under our franchise,” Meralco Senior Vice President and Networks Head Ronnie L. Aperocho said.

Meralco is the country’s largest power distribution utility firm with a franchise area of 9,337 kilometers covering Metro Manila; Bulacan; Rizal; Cavite; parts of the provinces of Laguna, Quezon and Batangas; and 17 barangays in Pampanga.

As of end-September this year, Meralco registered more than 6.8 million customers. Lenie Lectura