The Manila Electric Company (Meralco) has placed its crews and contingency teams on full alert during the holiday period, assuring customers of continuous response to power-related concerns throughout Christmas and the year-end break.

In an advisory issued on December 22, Meralco said its personnel will remain on 24/7 standby, including on Christmas Day, to ensure uninterrupted service across its franchise area, which covers more than 8 million customers.

Meralco said contingency measures are already in place to address possible power interruptions during the holidays, a period when electricity use typically increases due to longer home activities and decorative lighting.

The company also reminded customers to prioritize electrical safety, particularly when using Christmas lights and appliances. Meralco Vice President and Head of Corporate Communications Joe R. Zaldarriaga said preventing accidents requires cooperation from households.

“Electrical safety starts at home,” Zaldarriaga said, as he urged customers to inspect Christmas lights for damaged wires, unplug appliances when not in use, avoid using nails or thumbtacks when installing lights, and refrain from overloading outlets through so-called “octopus” connections.

While Meralco Business Centers will be closed on December 24 and 25, the company said customers can still report service concerns through the MyMeralco app, official social media channels, text hotlines, and the Meralco Hotline 16211.

As electricity use rises during the holidays, how can households and utilities work together to keep power supply reliable and homes safe throughout the festive season?

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