Meralco joins Q3 earthquake drill to strengthen disaster readiness

The Manila Electric Company (Meralco) mobilized more than 6,000 employees and partners for the third-quarter Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) on September 30, 2026, in coordination with the Office of Civil Defense-National Capital Region (OCD-NCR) and the Metro Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MMDRRMC).

The full-scale exercise, conducted at Meralco’s headquarters in Pasig City, sector offices, and business centers, tested the company’s ability to respond to a major earthquake while sustaining critical operations and essential electricity services.

The exercise simulated a magnitude 7.2 earthquake along the West Valley Fault, with an Intensity VIII scenario designed to test Meralco’s emergency response, business continuity, recovery, and coordination mechanisms.

Facilitated by Meralco’s Business Continuity Management Office in coordination with OCD-NCR, the exercise also sought to identify operational strengths, gaps, and areas for improvement in the company’s disaster response and recovery capabilities.

The simulation included multiple emergency scenarios, including a chemical spill, blackout, press conference, high-angle rescue, collapsed-structure rescue, fire suppression, mass-casualty triage, and the deployment of a generator set and floodlights to an evacuation center.

Meralco also tested satellite phones and satellite-based broadband services to maintain communications among its sector offices and external partners in the event that conventional communication systems become unavailable.

Improvised offices and other essential facilities were likewise established to support continuity of operations during a major disaster.

Beyond employee safety, the exercise focused on Meralco’s ability to protect and maintain critical power infrastructure and support timely restoration of electricity following a major seismic event.

OCD-NCR Regional Director George F. Keyser underscored the importance of power continuity during disasters.

“This is especially important for the energy sector. The continuity and timely restoration of power are essential to emergency response, communications, healthcare, water systems, businesses, and other critical services. This is why partnerships between the government and the private sector are vital in building a more resilient community,” Keyser said.

Evaluators from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Department of Health-Metro Manila Center for Health Development, Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF), and NCR regional offices of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and Philippine National Police (PNP) observed and evaluated the exercise.

The Pasig City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (Pasig DRRMO) also participated in the assessment.

Meralco regularly participates in the quarterly NSED as part of its efforts to strengthen emergency preparedness, business continuity, and power service resilience across its franchise area.

“Meralco is an organization that delivers critical service, so this exercise is an integral step to validate and strengthen the company’s operational readiness when the disaster comes. This also gives us the opportunity to move beyond what is created in our plans and put those plans into action,” said Meralco First Vice President and Head of Facilities, Safety, and Security Management Jerry B. Lao.