Amid the financial beating it has been receiving due to constant change in regulatory policies, the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) has assured the completion of at least three electric system-related capital projects before the end of the year.
This is, however, far from the 42 capital projects that have been deferred for so long because of Meralco’s cash flow constraints.
Meralco vice president for corporate communications Elpi Cuna Jr. said the three projects are part of the
R4.7 billion electric capital investment program lined up by the company this year.
"Although we cannot deny the fact that we are really experiencing financial constraints, our primordial concern is still to keep our service at par with our customers’ expectations," he stressed.
Though it is already cash-drained, officials of the utility firm said they still pushing their way so they can continually provide adequate, reliable and efficient electric service to customers.
The completed projects are the construction of the first phase of a new 34.5 KV feeder from Cubao Substation (Quezon City); the relocation of a portion of a feeder from Rockwell Substation (Mandaluyong and Makati) along a railroad track and the third phase the unloading of an Angat Substation (Bulacan) feeder.
The section of the feeder from Cubao Substation, which was completed last December 15, was intended to provide additional capacity and improve the reliability and flexibility of service for the existing residential, commercial and industrial customers in portions of Murphy and Libis, Quezon City.
It was noted that some of the large customers already benefiting from this project are Mercury Drug Corporation, Oleo Fats, Inc., Citibank, N.A., Delta Milling Industries, Inc. and LBL Industries, Inc.
Meanwhile, the second phase of the Cubao substation feeder which is due for completion this year, will provide the much-needed capacity to serve the existing and projected power requirements of Eastwood City in Libis, Quezon City.
The retirement and relocation of the main portion of a feeder of Rockwell Substation, on the other hand, will allow Meralco distribution personnel an easy access to distribution facilities during maintenance works.
