Farmers in Cuyapo, Nueva Ecija are gaining new momentum in their fields as a solar-powered mobile irrigation system, recently turned over by Manuel V. Pangilinan-led Manila Electric Company (Meralco), begins to change how they farm.
The initiative provides a cleaner, more sustainable way to irrigate crops, easing both financial strain and environmental impact for local farmers.
The project was made possible through the combined efforts of Meralco’s Corporate Retail Services Group, the Meralco Employees’ Fund for Charity, Inc. (MEFCI), and One Meralco Foundation (OMF).
At the heart of the donation is a mobile irrigation pump equipped with a three-kilowatt peak solar photovoltaic system, designed to deliver reliable water access without the recurring cost of diesel fuel.
For members of the Bagong Anyo Namcu Farmers Irrigators Association Inc., irrigation has long been essential but costly. Many rely on diesel-powered pumps to water their farms, particularly for crops such as brown rice. Each cropping cycle previously required up to P12,000 in fuel expenses, with costs rising even further during the dry season.
The new solar-powered system removes this burden, allowing farmers to redirect savings toward improving productivity and livelihoods.
Beyond cost savings, the solar irrigation system supports more consistent and efficient watering, which is critical to crop quality. With proper irrigation assured, farmers can achieve higher yields and potentially command better prices in the market, strengthening their long-term income and food security.
This marks the third time Meralco’s Corporate Retail Services Group has donated solar mobile irrigation systems to farming communities in Nueva Ecija, underscoring the company’s sustained commitment to agricultural development.
Meralco Senior Vice President and Head of Customer Retail Services Charina P. Padua emphasized the long-term vision behind the initiative, saying the company is proud to support projects that create lasting benefits for farmers, their families, and their communities.
Meralco Senior Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer Engr. Ferdinand O. Geluz also highlighted the role of employee-driven initiatives in bringing meaningful change to communities. He expressed hope that the cooperative will maximize the value of the solar irrigation system, turning it into a source of enduring benefit for the wider community. Geluz, who also serves as an OMF trustee, noted that the project reflects Meralco’s broader commitment to inclusive and sustainable development.
Cuyapo Mayor Jose Hidalgo welcomed the donation, calling it timely support for local farmers as they prepare for the second cropping season. He said the solar-powered system arrives at a critical moment, helping ensure stable irrigation when it is most needed.
The project falls under One Meralco Foundation’s Agriculture and Livelihood Electrification program, part of a wider electrification-for-development portfolio that also brings solar energy to schools, water access points, and rural health centers across the Philippines.
Through initiatives like this, Meralco continues to harness renewable energy not just to power homes and businesses, but to strengthen communities and cultivate a more sustainable future for the nation’s farmers.