Meralco offers relief assistance to Mindanao quake victims

Manila Electric Company (Meralco) said on Wednesday that it has extended relief assistance to the victims of the 7.8-magnitude earthquake in Southern Mindanao that struck on Monday.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Southern Mindanao, especially the families, communities, health workers, emergency responders, and utility personnel affected by this earthquake,” Meralco Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Ronnie L. Aperocho said in a statement.

“In times like this, the spirit of bayanihan even becomes more meaningful,” he added. “Meralco and One Meralco Foundation (OMF) will continue to extend assistance to affecting communities and support recovery efforts in whatever way we can.”

OMF has begun distributing food packs, bottled water, drinking water, and solar lanterns to residents and institutions in General Santos City, Sarangani, and nearby areas.

Meralco and OMF are also working closely with local partners to ensure relief reaches hospitals, evacuation areas, and communities in urgent need.

Among the initial beneficiaries of the relief assistance are St. Elizabeth Hospital and Socsargen County Hospital. At the same time, additional help for coastal communities, such as areas in Glan, Sarangani, is currently being prepared.

Apart from relief goods, Meralco offered power restoration support to the South Cotabato II Electric Cooperative, Inc. (SOCOTECO II), whose franchise area includes General Santos City and parts of Sarangani and South Cotabato.

The company noted that the move is intended to recognize the critical role of electricity in disaster response and recovery efforts.

“Meralco has offered to deploy technical personnel, line crews, and equipment to help accelerate the inspection, repair, and restoration activities,” Mr. Aperocho said, noting that it will be subject to proper coordination arrangements with the electric cooperative.

According to the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), over 35,000 families across 199 barangays have been affected by the quake. Of which, 6,314 families or about 24,228 individuals, are currently staying in 45 evacuation centers, while 1,815 families remain outside evacuation facilities.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) earlier reported 45 deaths, followed by 487 injuries, and 17 missing.

As of Wednesday morning, state seismologists have recorded 1,738 aftershocks, with magnitudes ranging from 1.3 to 6.4. — Almira Louise S. Martinez