Manila Electric Co (Meralco) assured customers it is ready to maintain stable electricity service following the Philippine weather bureau’s (PAGASA) declaration of the dry season’s start.
“We are actively coordinating with the Department of Energy (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,” said Joe Zaldarriaga, Meralco vice president and head of corporate communications.
The distribution utility said it had ramped up maintenance and upgrade activities to ensure its network and facilities were in good condition.
Meralco said it proactively secured additional supply to meet customer demand since last year.
Meralco entered an emergency power supply agreement for 200 megawatts in January 2025 to augment baseload supply during the critical dry months and reduce customer exposure to the volatile Wholesale Electricity Spot Market.
The company also continued to encourage businesses and industrial establishments to join the government’s Interruptible Load Program (ILP) to manage demand.
The ILP asks large-load customers to use their generators or shift operations, instead of drawing power from the grid, to prevent household power interruptions during red alerts or supply shortages.
More than 100 companies with over 500 MW of total de-loading capacity are enrolled in the ILP within Meralco’s franchise area.
Meralco said it has consistently promoted energy efficiency among consumers.
Residential electricity consumption during summer months jumps by 20 percent to 33 percent compared to January and February, according to the company’s data.
“By practicing energy efficiency, customers can better manage their electricity consumption while also doing their part in managing energy demand,” Zaldarriaga said.
Alena Mae S. Flores