Partnerships for impact. One Meralco Foundation, led by its president Jeffrey O. Tarayao (4th from right), brought its Household Electrification Program to Majayjay, Laguna, headed by Mayor Romeo P. Amorado (5th from right), with the help of Meralco Sta. Cruz Business Center led by head Elizer C. Acordo (4th from left).
Through OMF’s Household Electrification Program, families from Barangays Pangil, Panglan, and Gagalot received financial support and technical assistance from OMF, in collaboration with the Meralco Sta. Cruz Business Center and the local government of Majayjay. This support streamlined the process for residents to obtain independent electricity connections, significantly improving their quality of life.
Among the beneficiaries is Marissa Espares from Barangay Pangil, who previously struggled with financial constraints that prevented her from accessing direct electricity. Her family relied on submetering power from a neighbor until their neighbor’s service was disconnected, leaving them in darkness for seven months. With OMF’s assistance, her home was finally energized, allowing her children to study at night and improving their overall well-being.
Marissa Espares and her family will no longer rely on their neighbors for electricity after their home was energized through OMF’s Household Electrification Program.
Another beneficiary, Shiela May Exconde of Barangay Pangil, used to pay P1,500 monthly to a neighbor for minimal electricity usage, fearing overconsumption would lead to higher costs. With their own direct connection, her family’s electricity expenses have been reduced by half, enabling them to allocate savings to other essentials.
With lower electricity costs, both Espares and Exconde now look forward to a more stable future. Their savings will allow them to invest in essential appliances like refrigerators, enabling them to store food efficiently and even start small businesses such as selling ice candy or halo-halo, particularly during the hot summer months.
Majayjay Mayor Romeo P. Amorado underscored the importance of providing residents with direct electricity access, noting that it helps mitigate fire hazards caused by illegal electrical connections.
OMF President Jeffrey Tarayao emphasized the broader impact of electrification, stating, “Energizing homes empowers not only individual households but also the wider community. As families grow and improve their living conditions, they contribute to the overall progress of society and the nation.”
Since its launch in 2011, OMF’s Household Electrification Program has provided power to over 79,000 households, supporting the national government’s goal of achieving 100% electrification in the Philippines by 2028. Through this initiative, OMF continues to uplift communities and drive meaningful change, improving the lives of thousands of Filipinos.