Meralco assures power supply on election day

The Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) assured the public yesterday that there will be continuous electric supply in its franchise area before, during and after the May 10 elections.

The Lopez-owned power utility firm said enough preparatory measures have been taken to ensure that its facilities are in top shape as the nation goes to the polls.

"Our employees especially the line crews will be on general alert and on-hand to provide round-the-clock power monitoring and assistance before, during and even after the elections," said Elpi Cuna, Meralco vice-president for corporate communications.

"For several months now all our sectors have been conducting a thorough check on our facilities including distribution transformers, power lines, meters and other line equipment in our distribution system," he added.

"Maintenance and monitoring has been one of our foremost concerns since February this year," added Nestor Sarmiento, Meralco’s System Control Center head and in-charge of the Meralco Election Contingency Measures team.

"Even before we reach the critical period leading to the elections, Meralco is already well-prepared to make sure that all polling centers and canvassing areas have well-maintained power supply," he said.

In fact, Meralco has suspended all pre-arranged interruptions for maintenance of its facilities from May 1 to 16, Sarmiento added.

"Barring emergency cases, we expect to have continuous supply of electricity during the election period."

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) earlier issued a memorandum to Meralco to ensure a continuous supply of electricity on May 10. It also requested Meralco and other power distribution companies to provide round-the-clock assistance in polling centers and canvassing areas for immediate power restoration in the event of power outages.

The National Power Corp. (NPC) and the National Transmission Co. (Transco), on the other hand, were tasked to guarantee sufficiency of generation and availability of transmission lines.

In response to the Comelec’s call, Meralco drafted a three-stage contingency plan that is currently being implemented in its franchise area. The program, which started early this year, is being followed strictly in all Meralco offices and branches in its franchise area.

However, teachers manning the polling centers were advised to exercise restraint in bringing in appliances that may overload the school’s electric system.

"It is too risky to insist on plugging in these appliances since a given polling place can only accommodate their existing electrical load," Cuna averred.

He explained further that the indiscriminate use of additional electrical appliances resulted in power outages in some polling places in the past. He said battery-operated appliances should be considered instead.

Meralco also reminded the public that should there be any concern on Meralco’s service, its 24 -hour call center may be reached at tel. no. 16211.

"Meralco is doing everything within its capacity to provide uninterrupted electric service to critical areas, most especially polling centers on election day and the critical days following it. We are appealing to the people who will be involved in the electoral process to help us achieve this objective by following these simple measures," Cuna said.