Over 4,000 households in Marikina lost power supply, schools had to suspend classes, and stores closed shops after a man climbed up an electric post and stayed there for nearly 30 hours.
Meralco was prompted to cut off the electricity supply in Barangay Calumpang to prevent the man from being electrocuted, GMA News reported.
With the power interruption, Jesus Flock Academy suspended classes amid intense heat being suffered by its students.
Malls and businesses in the area were likewise forced to temporarily cease operations due to the blackout.
Traffic lights were not spared from the adverse effects of the power cut-off, causing traffic jams along Marcos Highway.
Before noontime Wednesday, the man climbed down but only to transfer to another post, allowing Meralco linemen to restore the power supply.
Meralco sub-transmission services head Abet Castillo the first pole the man climbed had an “underbuilt distribution system with transformers.”
The man’s brother arrived at the scene by mid-afternoon, allowing for a successful rescue operation. The man was taken to a nearby health center for treatment.
