MANILA - Meralco advised the public to avoid simultaneous use of appliances this dry season to avoid overloading electrical circuits that may lead to fires. 

Meralco spokesperson Joe Zaldarriaga also said using appliances simultaneously can also put further strain on the power supply, with energy reserves already thin. 

Power situation now a 'calamity' says DOE

“Sa init ng panahon minsan nag-o-overload yung facilities natin. Nagkakaroon ng trouble o outage. Sa ordinaryong household to avoid overloading, huwag ho natin sabay-sabay na gamitin yung appliances natin kung kaya naman natin,” Zaldarriaga said.

Meanwhile, sales of generator sets, industrial fans and other similar appliances have increased amid power supply issues and the intense heat.

“Para din pong hot cake ngayon yung generator kasi nagkukulang sila ng supply ng kuryente kaya pumupunta po sila dito at mamili po sila,” according to Mel Sanchez, owner of one of the generator sets in Quiapo, Manila. 

Sanchez advised those who plan to buy generator sets to ask their supplier for the capacity that will fit their needs.

The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) again placed the Luzon and Visayas grids on yellow alert on Friday. The Visayas grid was placed on red alert for one hour in the afternoon as power supplies could no longer keep up with demand.

The Mindanao grid was also briefly placed under yellow alert on Friday.

The Department of Energy earlier admitted the current situation on electricity can already be considered a crisis, with Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla likening it to a "calamity."

Meralco earlier warned that the worst was yet to come as temperatures further rise in May, which is expected to further increase power demand.