Frequently Asked Questions

Brownout is an independent, community-driven brownout tracker for the whole Philippines. People report brownouts and restorations for their ZIP code, and everyone can see live status, recent reports, brownout history and the scheduled power interruptions their utility has announced, plus the utility's hotline and emergency numbers.

Scheduled power interruptions are copied automatically from the utilities' own public advisories – Meralco's maintenance schedule and the advisory pages of electric cooperatives and other utilities – and matched to ZIP codes by the towns and barangays they name. They appear on the brownout schedule pages, on each ZIP code page and as amber markers on the live map. Times can change or be cancelled, so always check the official notice linked next to each entry.

People in the Philippines say "brownout" for any loss of power. A scheduled (planned) power interruption is announced in advance by your utility for maintenance, pole relocation, line clearing or substation work. An unscheduled brownout can be caused by a fault, a typhoon, a tripped line or – when NGCP raises a Red Alert – rotational brownouts because there is not enough power supply.

Your distribution utility or electric cooperative – the company named on your electric bill. In Metro Manila and other Meralco areas call 16211; elsewhere use your co-op's hotline or text line, or message its official Facebook page. Each ZIP code page lists the utility that serves it. Have your account number and a nearby landmark ready, and also tap "Power is out" on your ZIP code page so neighbors know.

Type your city, municipality or ZIP code in the search box, or tap the location button. Your ZIP code page shows the current status, a confidence score, every report from the last 24 hours, any scheduled interruption and your utility's hotline.

NGCP (the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines) raises a Yellow Alert when operating reserves are thin and a Red Alert when supply cannot meet demand. During a Red Alert, utilities may carry out rotational brownouts (manual load dropping) by area. When an alert is raised, a banner appears on this site.

The status reflects what people have reported recently. Reports from more people on different networks, and more recent reports, give a higher confidence score. Reports can be incomplete or wrong, so treat them as signals, not official utility data.

If nobody reports “Power is back” and there are no new brownout reports for 24 hours, the brownout is closed automatically. A new report reopens it straight away.

No. It only means no one has reported recently. Coverage depends on people in your area using the service.

No. Brownout is not affiliated with Meralco, any electric cooperative or distribution utility, NGCP, NEA, the ERC, the DOE or any government agency. For restoration times and safety issues, contact your utility directly.

Keep well back (at least 10 metres is a common guide), assume every fallen line is live and never touch it or anything it is touching, including floodwater or a vehicle. Call your utility's hotline, or 911 if there is danger to life or a fire.

An unopened ref keeps food cold for about 4 hours, a full freezer for about 48 hours and a half-full freezer for about 24 hours – less in very hot weather. Keep doors shut. Throw away perishable food such as meat, fish, milk and cooked rice that has been warm for more than 4 hours.

Only outdoors, well away from doors, windows and vents, and never inside the house or garage, even with the door open. Never plug a generator into a wall socket or connect it to your house wiring without a transfer switch installed by a licensed electrician – back-feeding can electrocute line workers.

Yes. Start with your utility or electric cooperative and keep the reference number. If it is not resolved, you can bring the complaint to the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC); for electric cooperatives you can also contact the National Electrification Administration (NEA). Your brownout history on this site can help you document how often it happens.

Damage from power surges or voltage fluctuations can sometimes be claimed from the utility if it was at fault – report it in writing quickly with photos and receipts. Unplugging the aircon, ref and electronics during a brownout, and using surge protectors or AVRs, is the best protection.

No. Reporting is anonymous. We do not ask for your name, phone number or address. See the Privacy Policy for details.

They give estimates based on approximate all-in residential rates per kWh. Your actual bill depends on your utility's current monthly rate, your consumption and any discounts.

To keep the data clean, each device can report the same ZIP code once every few minutes.

911 for police, fire, ambulance, fallen or sparking lines and any danger to life; your utility's hotline to report the brownout (Meralco: 16211); Philippine Red Cross 143; the NDRRMC for typhoons and floods; and your barangay or LGU disaster office for local help.

Use the contact form (link in the footer) for questions, bug reports, corrections to a hotline number or schedule entry, or partnership enquiries.