Manila, Meralco ink agreement

Manila Mayor Lito Atienza signed a memorandum of agreement with power retailer Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) aimed at curbing electrical accidents and pilferage.

Atienza said that the city government has agreed to be an active partner with Meralco in pursuing "an accident-free or accident-less environment that will redound to the benefit and safety of its citizenry by prioritizing the relentless anti-pilferage drive for the City of Manila."

Atienza and Meralco chief executive Manuel Lopez signed the agreement at Manila City Hall.

Under the arrangement, Meralco will provide a checklist of safety requirements based on the National Building Code, Philippine Electrical Code and other laws. The safety checklist will then be included as one of the requirements for the issuance of a building permit by the city engineer’s office.

In case there is a failure to comply with the requirements, Meralco will discuss and coordinate with the respective building contractor to arrive at a resolution that will then be submitted to the City Engineer for evaluation.

Meralco and the city government will also hold dialogues with building owners and contractors, and communities, on the importance of the electrical safety requirements.

Meralco will also provide the city government with telephone hotlines to expedite repairs and other immediate electrical services such as relocation of transformers, pole and secondary wire replacements, streetlight installations, tree-trimming near power lines, among others.

The city government and Meralco have likewise agreed to share technology and expertise concerning security, fire safety and building code compliance, among others.

Further, the city government will also help Meralco curb power pilfarage.