SUPPORT TO DEMOCRACY. Meralco is gearing up to power the upcoming midterm elections with reliable and stable electricity service. Seen in the photo are Meralco crews participating in the COMELEC-led mock elections in January.
As the Philippines prepares for the 2025 midterm elections, Meralco is literally stepping up to keep the lights on. With over 8 million customers in its franchise area and thousands of polling and canvassing centers relying on uninterrupted electricity, the country’s largest power distributor ensures every vote is counted without disruption.
Recognizing that electricity is critical to a smooth electoral process, Meralco, under the leadership of Manuel V. Pangilinan, is doubling down on its preparations.
“Historically, Meralco’s franchise area has had no problems during the election period. Nonetheless, we have prepared contingency plans in case of isolated power outages to ensure that our crews and personnel are ready to respond to any possible electricity service concern,” Meralco Vice President and Head of Corporate Communications Joe R. Zaldarriaga said.
“We are actively coordinating with the DOE and other industry stakeholders to ensure readiness to meet the higher demand we anticipate in the coming months, which coincides with the country’s midterm elections,” he added.
With the elections falling during the peak of the dry season—when energy demand typically spikes—the stakes are higher than ever. The Department of Energy (DOE) projects Luzon’s power demand to reach a record-breaking 14,769 MW, surpassing last year’s peak of 14,016 MW.
To bolster this effort, Meralco has been working closely with the DOE and key industry stakeholders to ensure that increased power demand doesn’t interfere with the electoral process.
FOR A SMOOTH ELECTION DAY. Meralco personnel inspect electrical facilities of schools that will be used as polling precincts for the elections.
Ready on all fronts
Since September 2024, Meralco has coordinated with the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to ensure that polling and canvassing centers are fully powered and prepared. Meralco covers nearly 3,000 polling centers, over 100 canvassing sites, and more than 20 critical election hubs within its service area. The utility has inspected, maintained, and upgraded infrastructure in these key locations.
In January, Meralco joined the COMELEC-led mock elections, testing its rapid response systems and call center readiness for possible incidents such as downed lines, localized outages, or equipment failures.
For added assurance, over 150 generator sets and 470 floodlights will be deployed strategically while Meralco teams remain on 24/7 standby throughout the election period. A dedicated election hotline will also be available for quick reporting and issue resolution.
“We’re fully committed to ensuring a smooth and credible election,” Zaldarriaga emphasized. “Our personnel and resources will be deployed strategically so we can act fast if anything unexpected happens.”
FOR RELIABLE AND CONTINUOUS ELECTRICITY SERVICE. Meralco crews conduct maintenance operations to ensure reliable electricity service throughout the dry season especially during the midterm elections.
Beyond the ballot: Powering through the dry season
Meralco’s efforts go beyond election readiness. As the country heads into the power-hungry summer months, the utility works nonstop to ensure grid stability.
Meralco signed a 200 MW emergency power supply agreement earlier this year to reinforce supply. This aims to cushion consumers from the highly volatile prices of the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market during the dry season.
Helping manage demand through partnerships and efficiency
Meralco continues to promote the government’s Interruptible Load Program (ILP), encouraging big businesses to use their power sources during tight supply situations temporarily. This allows more residential consumers to enjoy uninterrupted service.
Currently, over 100 large-load companies within Meralco’s franchise are enrolled in the program, collectively capable of de-loading more than 500 MW from the grid during Red Alerts.
But Meralco is counting on more than big businesses. The utility is also empowering households to take control of their consumption—especially now when residential electricity use typically rises by 20% to 33% due to increased use of cooling appliances.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY AS A WAY OF LIFE. Keeping air conditioner filters clean is an effective way to optimize the appliance’s use.
Small habits have a significant impact
Through the MyMeralco App’s Appliance Calculator, customers can track how much energy their gadgets and appliances consume and adjust usage accordingly. Meralco also regularly shares energy-saving tips, such as:
- Unplug appliances when not in use
- Clean aircon filters regularly
- Iron clothes in batches
- Avoid overloading the fridge
- Make the most of natural light
- Keep electric fan blades dust-free
“These small actions go a long way,” said Zaldarriaga. “Energy efficiency helps customers save and contributes to managing national demand.”
Bottom line: Whether powering polling centers on election day or keeping homes cool during the sweltering summer, Meralco is ready to deliver stable, reliable, and responsive electricity service when it matters most.
