As the country's largest distribution utility, the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) recognizes the significant role it plays in nation building in keeping with its mandate to provide safe, adequate, and reliable electric service to around 7.8 million customers.

The important service Meralco delivers to the public is further highlighted during historic crossroads such as the elections. As the Philippines prepares to hold the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) on October 30, Meralco once again reassured the Filipino people of its dependable service to power the people's right to vote and energize democracy.

Timely preparations

As early as March of this year, Meralco started its preparations for the upcoming polls in coordination with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and other stakeholders.

As with previous elections, Meralco is a member of the Energy Task Force Election headed by the Department of Energy, which works together to ensure uninterrupted and reliable power supply before, during, and after the polls. Other members of the task force are the National Electrification Administration, National Power Corporation, National Transmission Corporation, Philippine National Oil Company, Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation, Philippine Electricity Market Corporation, and the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines.

"Meralco has been working closely with all key government agencies and partners in the private sector to ensure our readiness in the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections," Meralco Spokesperson and Vice President for Corporate Communications Joe R. Zaldarriaga said.

"We are one with the nation in working towards a successful and peaceful conduct of the elections. Rest assured that we will continuously do our part to deliver stable and reliable electricity service," he added.

With its timely preparations, Meralco had more than the sufficient allowance to plan the necessary contingencies and conduct vital assessments to crucial electric facilities for the elections.

Ahead of the polls, the distribution utility completed the inspection of close to 3,000 polling and canvassing centers, which include public schools, barangay halls, and some participating shopping malls, within its franchise area. Electric facilities found to have problems were also identified by Meralco for upgrade or rehabilitation to ensure that these are in excellent working condition for the upcoming polls. 

Meralco is also conducting maintenance activities for its distribution facilities serving all polling places and canvassing centers —from sub-transmission facilities down to metering facilities—to ensure stable and reliable electricity service on election day.

To complement its maintenance of electric distribution facilities, Meralco trimmed trees and removed hazards that can obstruct power lines and prepared over 300 generator sets and nearly 800 flood lights on stand-by in case of an unexpected power interruption during the election period.

Full alert on election day

With the last BSKE held five years ago, Meralco assured its customers that it will be on full alert on election day—ready to address any possible electricity service problem within its franchise area.

"Meralco will be on alert 24/7 to respond to any distribution related problem until the conclusion of the election process. Our crews will be deployed in strategic locations across its franchise area and will be ready to address any possible problem on electricity service," Mr. Zaldarriaga said.

To help ensure stable electricity service on election day, Meralco reminded personnel who will be manning polling and canvassing centers to refrain from plugging in unnecessary appliances and avoid octopus wiring which can lead to overloading.

The public meanwhile was advised to refrain from using balloons, firecrackers, kites, confetti, party poppers, and the like near overhead lines and facilities in order to avoid tripping and power interruptions.

Meralco has prepared various communication platforms for public reporting of possible power-related concerns or inquiries on election day.  Meralco can be contacted via its 24/7 hotline 16211 or by sending a message to its social media accounts on Facebook (www.facebook.com/meralco), or X (formerly Twitter) via @meralco.