MANILA: The Manila Electric Company (Meralco) on Thursday said it is targeting to cut in half the number of customers experiencing power interruptions amid the impacts of Super Typhoon Carina and the southwest monsoon. In a press briefing, Meralco vice president and head of corporate communications Joe Zaldarriaga said as of 10 a.m. Thursday, 330,246 customers within its franchise areas are still experiencing power interruptions. The night before, affected Meralco customers were twice as many, with 640,000 as of 6.pm. Wednesday. In Barangay Pantoc in Meycauayan City, Bulacan, some of the households had no power service for eight hours. Zaldarriaga said the heavy flooding in Metro Manila was the main reason for the power interruptions. Fallen trees and foreign objects obstructing power lines also affected the power services in several areas. 'We ask for your patience and understanding amid power disruptions caused by heavy floods caused by Super Typhoon Carina and the intensified southwest monsoon. The sa fety of our customers and Meralco line crews is our top priority as we continue to actively monitor the situation,' he added. Most of the customers experiencing power disruption are in the National Capital Region at 258,603 affected customers; followed by Bulacan with 41,783 customers; Rizal, 21,375 customers; and Cavite, 8,122 customers. 'Rest assured, our crews will immediately be deployed to restore power in the affected areas once the floodwaters recede and everyone's safety is assured,' the Meralco executive said. Meanwhile, Meralco's corporate social responsibility arm One Meralco Foundation extended relief packs to affected families in Pasig through the Pasig City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office. Source: Philippines News agency