Meralco maps out plan for blackout-free polls

MANILA, Philippines - Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), the country’s largest privately-run utility firm with over four million customers, is aggressively mapping out a plan to ensure reliable and adequate supply of power during the automated national elections on May 10.

Meralco’s Election Task Force chairman and sub-transmission services head Rustico C. de Borja Jr. said the company has started drawing up contingency plans for a blackout-free polls.

“We are performing necessary measures to ensure provision of adequate and reliable electric supply to all voting and counting places at precinct level and at the canvassing centers within Meralco’s franchise area during the critical days of the elections,” De Borja said.

He said aside from identifying polling places and canvassing centers within the Meralco franchise, the distribution utility is reviewing past troubles involving precincts and polling centers.

De Borja noted that Meralco has also been conducting inspection, maintenance and repair of distribution facilities as well as assessment of customer loadside wiring serving the polling and canvassing centers. 

The Meralco official said this will also involve clearing of illegal connections in the vicinity of polling centers. 

“Inspection and correction of all defects and abnormalities on substation equipment is currently being done, too,” he said.

Meralco external communications manager Joe Zaldarriaga, meanwhile, reiterated the company’s call for the proper use of electricity during the critical election period.

“We also would like to remind those who will be manning the precincts and polling centers to refrain from bringing additional appliances to prevent overloading of the electrical system in these places.” he said.

According to Zaldarriaga, it would be prudent for the school administrators to likewise have their facilities checked by licensed private electricians prior to the elections.

Zaldarriaga clarified, however, that Meralco’s assurance will greatly depend on the ability of the power generating companies to provide sufficient supply of electricity and that there will be no transmission constraints. 

“Meralco being a distribution utility relies on the power provided and supplied by the power producers.” Meralco has always been supportive of endeavors that contribute to nation building, and ensuring the smooth conduct of elections is certainly one of those.