MERALCO, BFP JOIN FORCES TO ENHANCE EMERGENCY RESPONSE IN NCR
Meralco goes above and beyond its mandate to provide stable and reliable electric service within its franchise area by making public safety a part of its priorities in its day-to-day operations.
The collaboration between the private and the public sector is crucial in the successful implementation of programs and initiatives geared towards promoting public safety even in the wake of emergencies and unprecedented situations.
The Manila Electric Company (Meralco), as the biggest and premier electric distribution utility in the country, recognizes the importance of ensuring the safety in its operations. It has been actively advocating safety through its initiatives and programs, which include, among others its efforts to equip its employees and customers with knowledge and information on electrical safety and emergency preparedness.
Beyond delivering safe, adequate, and reliable electricity service, the power distributor continues to look for ways to help the bigger community and contribute to public welfare.
“Meralco’s primary mission is to provide safe, reliable, affordable, and efficient electricity service to all customers within our franchise area. As part of our mandate, safety and protection are also essential functions,” Meralco President and CEO Atty. Ray C. Espinosa said.
MERALCO REINFORCES PARTNERSHIP WITH BFP
In a bid to further reinforce its emergency response capability, Meralco recently partnered with the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) through a memorandum of agreement (MOA) that aims to strengthen emergency response in the area served by the BFP- National Capital Region (NCR).
Under the MOA, Meralco and BFP-NCR will work together to form a fire brigade team that will help respond to any health emergency, assist in fire suppression, and conduct search and rescue operations in case of fire incidents within the Meralco franchise area.
Meralco will also establish its own rescue team composed of personnel from its Safety, Facilities, and Security Office. The opportunity is also open for employees who are willing to volunteer for the job. On their end, the BFP will assign competent officers and personnel to train and equip the Meralco Rescue Team with the necessary capabilities and competencies to help them carry out their responsibilities. Meralco’s fire brigade team is expected to significantly contribute to BFP’s goal of reaching the location of the reported incident within its set ideal response time of five to seven minutes. To further support the team’s 24/7 operations, Meralco will also construct a fire station inside its compound. Expected to be fully operational by 2023, it will serve as the fire emergency response center and communication link between Meralco and the BFP. Meralco’s fire brigade team and rescue team will also undergo training in the new fire station. It will also house the teams’ specialized equipment such as fire trucks, water tankers, rescue tenders, and rescue boats. “It is in this light that we have developed a plan to establish a fully operational and complementary fire station here in Meralco to serve not just the needs of Meralco but also the needs of our nearby communities, particularly Pasig and Mandaluyong,” Meralco’s Espinosa said.
“We thank the BFP for making this a reality for us, and hopefully, we can be part of your private sector support and join your runs in addressing fire incidents in Metro Manila,” he added.
For BFP-NCR Regional Director, Chief Superintendent Gilbert D. Dolot, Meralco’s commitment to help ensure public safety is something worth recognizing. “We are partners who will never cease to explore opportunities and avenues for the improvement of public safety, and we are very happy to see that Meralco is doing its part not only by delivering its corporate goals. It went beyond by venturing in public safety as part of its social responsibility,” Dolot said. Public safety through promotion of fire prevention and safety awareness has long been part of Meralco’s key priorities. During the celebration of the Fire Prevention Month last March, Meralco participated in various activities organized by the BFP such as its Motorcade around the city of Pasig.
They also partnered to regularly conduct fire safety and prevention training and electrical safety seminars to educate the public through various information campaign and roadshows.
RESOLVING COMMON PUBLIC CONCERNS THROUGH THE DILG MOU
Meralco recognizes the importance of partnering with government agencies and offices to create a lasting and more meaningful impact in the lives of the Filipinos.
That’s why it considers its partnership with BFP an important part of its commitment in supporting the government’s nationbuilding efforts.
Its partnership with the government goes way back but the company’s commitment gets reinforced every now and then to make sure initiatives and efforts are aligned with what the public needs. Last year, the company signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Philippine National Police (PNP), and the BFP in resolving common public concerns that affect Meralco’s operations and services, and its customers.
Among the issues identified include illegal connections, delays in the issuance of permits that affect access to uninterrupted and reliable electricity, and slow relocation of poles that need to be transferred because of the government’s infrastructure projects.
T h e partnership enabled Meralco to intensify the energization of government or public structures and double down on illegal connections, which are potential fire hazards in the community. Through the help of the DILG, PNP, and BFP, Meralco was given the power to apprehend those who act as enablers by allowing pilferers to illegally connect to their own meters, as well as those who bypass the meters by connecting straight to the power lines. The DILG will also streamline the processing of permits required from customers before Meralco can energize their electric service such as the Certificate of Final Electrical Inspection (CFEI), which often delays the customers’ application process.
Also part of DILG’s role under the MOU is to ensure prompt issuance of permits to Meralco and to encourage the different local government units within Meralco’s franchise area to assist the company in acquiring Right-of-Way permits. This will hasten the relocation of Meralco facilities that are causing delays to urgent government infrastructures, road widening activities, and real estate development projects.
Meralco goes above and beyond its mandate to provide stable and reliable electric service within its franchise area by making public safety a part of its priorities in its day-to-day operations. The company also commits to continue working hand in hand with the government in its various initiatives to drive the country forward. As one of the largest companies in the Philippines, Meralco considers it as its responsibility to actively take part in nation building and give back to society.