Meralco on 'full alert' during holidays

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 21)—Power distributor Meralco said on Thursday that it will be on standby 24/7 throughout the holiday season to ensure uninterrupted electricity for its customers.

«The company’s operations crews will be on standby 24/7 throughout the holiday season, even on Christmas Day, to keep the lights on and ensure a bright, merry, and accident-free celebration for its 7.8 million customers,» said Meralco Vice President and Head of Corporate Communications Joe Zaldarriaga.

The company however said that its business centers will be closed on the holidays, Dec. 25, 26, and 30, this year and Jan. 1, 2024, but it assured customers that its power services and crews will implement a full alert operation.

As part of its advisories, the power distributor gave some reminders to the public to avoid electricity-related incidents:

-Use Christmas lights with safety and quality control markings.

-Use light hangers instead of nails and thumbtacks when installing Christmas lights.

-Avoid overloaded or ‘octopus’ connections in plugging cords and outlets.

-Unplug Christmas lights and other appliances when not in use.

-Have an available fire extinguisher at home.

Meanwhile, some institutions also announced their operation suspension and interruption for the coming holidays.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said that their hotlines will not be available on Dec. 25 this year, and Jan. 1, 2024, to let their employees enjoy the holidays.

In a separate statement on Thursday, Maynilad announced that there will be water interruptions in parts of Quezon City and Valuenza.

«Our customers in portions of Quezon City and Valenzuela will have water service interruption from 9 p.m. of December 27, 2023 (Wednesday) to 8 a.m. of December 28, 2023 (Thursday), as we will be conducting a valve replacement activity along Regalado Ave. corner Commonwealth Ave., Quezon City,» it said.

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