2026 AGCC SUMMIT. (L-R) CEDC President and CEO Baldomero N. Guisala, Meralco Vice President and Data Privacy Officer Atty. Francis Euston R. Arcero, National Privacy Commission Deputy Commissioner Atty. Juan Paolo F. Fajardo, Meralco Vice President and Head, Corporate Governance and Compliance Office Head Jocelyn C. Villar-Altamira, Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer Marilene P. Tayag, Senior Vice President and Chief Audit Executive Melanie T. Oteyza, Executive Vice President Ronnie L. Aperocho, InfoTech Research Group Principal Advisory Security Director Robert Dang,CIS Bayad CEO and President Lawrence Ferrer, Meralco First Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer Raymond B. Ravelo, Radius President and CEO Exequiel C. Delgado, One Meralco Foundation President Jeffrey O. Tarayao, Meralco First Vice President and Head of Facilities, Safety and Security Management Jerry B. Lao during the 2026 AGCC Summit held last May 15, 2026 at Meralco headquarters in Ortigas, Pasig City.
As businesses accelerate their digital transformation journeys, Manila Electric Company (Meralco) is pushing for a stronger culture of accountability, cybersecurity, and responsible data management to help organizations navigate an increasingly complex threat environment.
The power distributor recently convened industry leaders, regulators, technology experts, and governance advocates for its first-ever Audit, Governance, Cybersecurity, and Compliance (AGCC) Summit 2026, a landmark gathering focused on helping organizations strengthen their defenses against fraud, cyberattacks, misinformation, and other emerging digital risks.
The summit, themed “Next Generation Assurance: Driving Confident Decisions in a Digital Future,” drew more than a thousand participants both onsite and online, bringing together representatives from One Meralco, the MVP Group, JG Summit, and leading professional organizations involved in governance, auditing, risk management, and information security.
Recognizing that digital threats continue to evolve at an unprecedented pace, the event highlighted the importance of collaboration among businesses, government agencies, and civil society in protecting organizations and the people they serve.
Experts from the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA), National Privacy Commission (NPC), and global technology advisory firm Info-Tech Research Group shared practical strategies and insights on strengthening organizational resilience.
Among the topics discussed were combating misinformation, improving governance in a rapidly digitizing environment, safeguarding sensitive information, and preparing for a new generation of cyber threats fueled by artificial intelligence.
For National Privacy Commission Deputy Commissioner Juan Paolo Fajardo, trust remains the defining asset of organizations operating in the digital era.
“Trust is the most valuable currency in the digital age. Unlike financial capital, it cannot be borrowed, manufactured, or quickly restored once lost,” he said, emphasizing that privacy and data protection are now critical indicators of an organization’s credibility.
Meralco Senior Vice President and Chief Audit Executive Melanie T. Oteyza said organizations must look beyond compliance and view governance, audit, cybersecurity, and compliance as strategic drivers of long-term success.
According to Oteyza, the summit was designed not only to discuss emerging risks but also to encourage stronger alignment across teams and institutions as technology continues to reshape how organizations operate.
She noted that maintaining public confidence requires organizations to continuously adapt, strengthen controls, and ensure that innovation is matched by accountability.
The event reflects Meralco’s broader commitment to fostering a secure and trustworthy digital ecosystem. As businesses become increasingly reliant on technology, the company believes that strong governance and cyber resilience will play a vital role in sustaining growth, protecting stakeholders, and enabling confident decision-making.
By bringing together experts from diverse sectors, the AGCC Summit served as a platform for advancing a shared goal: building organizations that are not only digitally capable, but also trusted, transparent, and resilient in the face of evolving challenges.
