The Manila Electric Company (Meralco), led by Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan, reaffirmed its commitment to fueling inclusive economic growth in Batangas, positioning itself as a strategic ally for enterprises and investors expanding in the fast-rising industrial province.
As Batangas cements its status as a key growth hub south of Metro Manila, Meralco said it is ready to meet the province’s surging power demand with its robust distribution network and scalable, technology-driven energy solutions.
Currently, Meralco serves Batangas City, Sto. Tomas, and San Pascual—areas that have shown strong growth momentum in recent years. The company now aims to extend this progress across the entire province through collaboration and capacity expansion.
According to Meralco Senior Vice President and Chief External and Government Affairs Officer Arnel D. Casanova, the utility is looking to form strategic partnerships with the two electric cooperatives operating in the province: Batangas Electric Cooperative (BATELEC) I and II.
From 1992 to 2024, Meralco-serviced areas in Batangas registered a cumulative annual growth rate of 13.6%—notably higher than that of non-Meralco areas. In 2024 alone, Meralco’s Batangas energy sales reached 2,034 MW, nearly double BATELEC II’s 1,304 MW and almost four times BATELEC I’s 547 MW.
“Meralco is committed to supporting BATELEC I and II by investing capital and providing technical expertise to enhance electricity service in the province. We’re here to empower—not replace—our electric cooperative partners,” said Casanova. “By working together, we can raise service quality and unlock greater economic opportunities for Batangas.”
Earlier this year, Meralco formally submitted a joint venture proposal with BATELEC I and II to further improve service delivery and reliability across the Southern Tagalog province.
As the country’s largest private distribution utility, Meralco’s expansion efforts in Batangas form part of its broader mission to drive inclusive progress by bridging energy access gaps and powering sustainable growth across emerging local economies.