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As the countdown to the 2025 midterm elections begins, Meralco isn’t just watching from the sidelines—it’s rolling up its sleeves and getting to work to help ensure a smooth and successful democratic process.

From the get-go, the power distributor has been in close coordination with the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), preparing everything from backup generators to quick-response crews. Why? Because when it comes to voting day, power interruptions aren’t just inconvenient—they can seriously disrupt the integrity of the polls.

Meralco knows this. That’s why, since September 2024, the company has been mapping out and fine-tuning its plans to make sure nearly 3,000 polling centers, over 100 canvassing sites, and other critical election hubs within its franchise area stay energized and connected.

“We’re not leaving anything to chance,” said Joe Zaldarriaga, Meralco’s Vice President and Head of Corporate Communications. “We’ve prepared contingency plans and are coordinating closely with the DOE and other industry players to brace for the higher demand, especially with the elections falling right in the middle of the dry season.”

And he’s right to be cautious. The Department of Energy expects Luzon’s power demand to hit 14,769 MW this year—higher than last year’s peak. But if history is any guide, Meralco is confident it’s up to the task. “Historically, our franchise area hasn’t had issues during elections, but that doesn’t mean we’re taking it easy,” Zaldarriaga added.

To make sure things go off without a hitch, Meralco took part in COMELEC’s mock elections earlier this year. Their crews ran through emergency scenarios—from downed lines to unexpected outages—to test their response times. Even their call center staff joined in to ensure that any issue reported on election day gets addressed fast.

And it’s not just drills and checklists—Meralco has already completed inspections and maintenance work on power facilities tied to polling and canvassing centers. They’ve got over 150 generator sets and more than 470 floodlights ready to go, plus a dedicated hotline specifically for election-related power concerns.

“We’re fully committed to helping safeguard the voting process,” Zaldarriaga emphasized. “Our people and equipment will be strategically deployed and on standby 24/7.”

But Meralco’s support for the country doesn’t stop at elections. With the dry season in full swing, the utility is working double-time to ensure power stability across the board. They’ve secured a 200 MW emergency power supply deal to help cover the increased demand and are encouraging big businesses to join the government’s Interruptible Load Program (ILP). Over 100 companies are already signed up, collectively ready to ease the strain on the grid when it counts most.

And for everyday customers? Meralco is reminding everyone that energy efficiency isn’t just smart—it’s essential. Dry season means more air-con, more fans, and higher bills. That’s why the company continues pushing tips and tools like the MyMeralco App’s Appliance Calculator to help consumers stay in control of their electricity usage.

Simple habits—like unplugging unused appliances, batch ironing clothes, and using natural light—can go a long way. “It’s all about being mindful,” Zaldarriaga said.

As Filipinos head to the polls this year, they can take comfort in knowing that while they cast their votes, Meralco will be working behind the scenes—quietly powering democracy, one precinct at a time.