MANILA, Philippines — Filipino families preparing to visit cemeteries, travel out of town or leave their homes unattended for Undas have another important reminder this holiday weekend: make sure they are prepared for possible electricity-related problems.
Manila Electric Company (Meralco) has assured customers that its personnel and response teams will remain on 24-hour standby throughout the November 1 and 2 observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, ready to respond to power-related concerns across its service area.
The announcement is intended to reassure customers that assistance will remain available even during the holiday, when many households leave their homes or gather with relatives to remember departed loved ones.
Meralco Vice President and Head of Corporate Communications Joe Zaldarriaga said the company would keep its crews ready to help maintain safe and reliable electricity service during the observance. Context.ph → Context.ph+2
However, the advisory is not an announcement of scheduled brownouts or a forecast of a widespread blackout. It is a preparedness measure to ensure that response teams can address service concerns if they arise.
Meralco business centres to close for two days
Although Meralco’s physical business centres will be temporarily closed on November 1 and 2, customers will still be able to seek assistance through the company’s digital channels.
Customers can report electricity-related concerns through:
- The My Meralco app
- Meralco’s official Facebook page
- Its official X account, @meralco
- Meralco’s customer hotline, 16211
The company says its response teams will remain available during the holiday despite the temporary closure of its physical offices. Daily Tribune+1
Five electrical safety reminders before leaving home
For families planning to spend Undas away from home, Meralco is also reminding consumers to take precautions before leaving their properties unattended.
The recommendations include:
- Unplug appliances that do not need to remain connected. This reduces unnecessary electricity use and helps limit potential electrical risks.
- Avoid overloading electrical outlets. Connecting too many appliances to one outlet can increase the risk of overheating.
- Keep electrical wiring and connectors dry. Water and electricity are a dangerous combination, particularly during rainy conditions.
- Do not run electrical cords underneath rugs or carpets. Repeated pressure and friction can damage insulation.
- Keep flammable materials away from lights and heat sources. This is especially important when using decorative lighting or other electrical equipment.
These precautions are particularly relevant for households leaving their properties unattended for several days. Daily Tribune+1
El Niño adds another challenge for electricity demand
Meralco’s Undas preparations come as the utility also prepares for the possible effects of El Niño.
Higher temperatures typically encourage households and businesses to use more air-conditioning units, electric fans and other cooling appliances. That can increase electricity demand and put additional pressure on power supply and distribution infrastructure.
Meralco has said its existing supply contracts are sufficient for its current customer requirements, but it is also arranging additional capacity to prepare for higher consumption.
In a separate October 29 report, the company said it was lining up 450 megawatts (MW) of additional power capacity:
- 200 MW from a completed competitive selection process.
- 250 MW expected from the MTerra Solar project.
The company also identified infrastructure measures such as replacing aging transformers, upgrading overloaded circuits, installing additional feeders and maintaining stocks of materials needed for repairs. Insider Philippines+1
These are longer-term preparations for demand and reliability concerns. They should not be confused with the specific 24-hour standby arrangement for the Undas holiday.
Why electricity reliability matters during Undas
Undas is one of the Philippines’ busiest annual periods for family travel and cemetery visits. Many households leave their properties unattended, while others remain at home to receive relatives and visitors.
A power interruption can create additional problems, particularly for households relying on refrigerators, security systems, communication equipment and electrically powered devices.
Businesses that remain open during the holiday may also need to prepare for possible service interruptions, especially those relying on refrigeration, lighting or electronic payment systems.
Meralco’s standby arrangement is intended to ensure that customers have access to assistance if electricity-related concerns arise during the holiday.
However, the company has not announced that all power interruptions can be prevented. Equipment problems, severe weather and other unexpected incidents can still affect electricity service.
What customers should do if the power goes out
If an interruption occurs during the holiday, customers should report it through Meralco’s official channels and follow any safety instructions issued by the utility.
Residents should also avoid touching fallen electrical wires, damaged electrical equipment or flooded areas where electrical facilities may be present.
If there is an electrical fire, do not attempt to extinguish it with water. Move away from the danger and contact emergency responders.
For households leaving town, it is also sensible to check appliances, wiring and electrical connections before departure.
The bigger picture: Meralco is preparing for more than one holiday
The company’s Undas readiness comes at a time when the electricity sector is also monitoring the potential impact of hotter weather, increased consumption and power-generation constraints.
Meralco’s preparations include maintaining response teams for immediate service concerns while strengthening its distribution network and arranging additional supply for future demand.
For consumers, the distinction is important: 24-hour standby means Meralco is preparing to respond to problems, not promising that outages will never happen.
As millions of Filipinos observe Undas on November 1 and 2, the utility is urging customers to remain cautious, practise electrical safety and use its official channels whenever assistance is needed.
These four related reports provide additional context on Meralco’s power preparations, outages and electricity reliability:
- Meralco Readies 450 MW of Extra Power as Super El Niño Threatens 8.3 Million Customers — But Can It Stop Electricity Bills From Soaring?
- Power Outages Set in Bulacan, Cavite and Rizal This Week — Is Your Area on Meralco’s List?
- Meralco Turns Power Lines Into a Smart Grid With New Metering Tech — What It Could Mean for Outages, Solar and EVs
- Visayas Grid on Red and Yellow Alert Thursday — Could Another Round of Brownouts Hit Millions of Consumers?
