Power utility giant Manila Electric Company (Meralco) is preparing to deploy at least 300 generator sets (gensets) to avert blackouts or power interruption scenarios that could 
mar the conduct of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) by the end of this month.

On top of that, the company also queued 800 flood lights on stand-by that it can readily deploy in case there will be power service interruptions, especially at polling places.

Meralco conveyed it already inspected the electric facilities of roughly 3,000 polling and canvassing centers, as part of its overall preparation and to guide it in drawing up ‘emergency response measures’ in case momentary power loss or technical glitches in its power network would occur.

Given the scale of preparation that the power company has been undertaking, it assured the public of its readiness in the forthcoming elections, emphasizing that its crews are on standby “to respond to any electricity service concern for the October 30 polls.”

Meralco Vice President for Corporate Communications Joe Zaldarriaga indicated that the utility firm “will be on alert 24/7 to respond to any distribution-related problem until the conclusion of the election process.”

He added “our crews will be deployed in strategic locations across its franchise area and will be ready to address any possible problem on electricity service.”

The inspection of electric facilities it had undertaken covered public schools and barangay halls within its service areas in Metro Manila as well as the neighboring provinces of Rizal, Cavite, Laguna, Bulacan and parts of Batangas and Quezon.

Meralco said it has been “conducting maintenance activities for its distribution facilities to ensure stable and reliable electricity service on election day.”

Part of the preparation activities it carried out include trimming of trees as well as the removal of hazards, primarily those that will be obstructing the efficient and reliable operation of power facilities.

Beyond the measures that the company can prepare itself for, Meralco similarly reminded personnel manning the polling places “to refrain from plugging in unnecessary appliances to avoid octopus wiring which can lead to overloading.”

And on the whole, it pleaded for public cooperation to steer clear from using highly flammable materials near its overhead lines – including those of balloons, firecrackers, confetti, party poppers because these could trigger tripping of lines, that in turn, may cause unwanted blackouts.