The Manila Electric Company (Meralco) has assured its customers that it is prepared to respond to service concerns that may arise from heavy rains and flooding brought by the southwest monsoon (Habagat).

In a statement, Meralco said its crews are on standby and closely monitoring weather advisories in coordination with relevant agencies to ensure immediate action in case of power interruptions.

“We remind our customers to take extra precautions to ensure their safety especially with the increased threat of flooding which poses a greater risk of electrical accidents,” said Joe R. Zaldarriaga, Meralco Vice President and Head of Corporate Communications.

The power distributor advised customers in flood-prone areas to turn off their main electrical switch or circuit breaker if floodwaters begin entering their homes.

Meralco also shared the following safety tips: never handle circuit breakers or fuses with wet hands or while standing on a wet surface; unplug appliances from wall sockets; turn off permanently connected equipment and unscrew light bulbs if possible; avoid contact with exposed or dangling wires; and have a licensed electrician inspect electrical systems before switching them back on after floods.

Customers may report power outages and other concerns through Meralco’s official Facebook page, X account (@meralco), by texting 0920-9716211 or 0917-5516211, or by calling the Meralco Hotline at 16211.

What additional safety measures do you think households should take to stay safe during flooding and heavy rains?

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