Photo courtesy of Inquirer Campus Talks.
Manila Electric Company (Meralco), the country’s largest private electric distribution utility led by Manuel V. Pangilinan, is powering more than homes and businesses — it’s fueling the future by building a new generation of skilled Filipino energy leaders.
At the recent Inquirer Campus Talks themed “Skilling the Workforce for the Future of the Power Industry,” Meralco First Vice President and Head of Networks Froilan J. Savet called on students and young professionals to embrace the exciting transformation sweeping across the energy sector.
Savet painted a bold vision of tomorrow’s power grid — one that is smart, driven by sensors, AI, and real-time data; distributed, with solar rooftops, microgrids, and community batteries; and interactive, where consumers evolve into “prosumers” who both use and produce energy.
As renewable energy, electric vehicles, and cutting-edge technologies like Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) emerge, Savet underscored the urgent need for a highly skilled, future-ready workforce — blending technical expertise with creativity, adaptability, and collaboration.
Meralco is already laying the groundwork. It sponsors advanced degrees and professional licenses for its employees, has trained over 180 individuals in data analytics and coding, and regularly benchmarks with global utilities to stay ahead of the curve. Through its PowerTech Smart Grid Lab, the company hones local talent for a digitally connected energy future.
To further push boundaries, Meralco Power Academy launched the Filipino Scholars and Interns on Nuclear Engineering (FISSION) program, sending Filipino scholars abroad to become pioneers in nuclear energy innovation.
“A career in the power sector is not just a job. It’s a mission to change lives,” Savet told the audience. “This is the kind of work that builds not just careers—but a nation.”
Meralco’s presence at Inquirer Campus Talks reflects its deeper commitment: to spark curiosity, empower the youth, and champion inclusive growth. As the Philippines accelerates toward a cleaner and more resilient energy future, Meralco is ensuring the nation has the brightest minds ready to lead the charge.