Bringing light and hope to Manileños. The Household Electrification Program was made possible through the efforts of (L–R) Meralco Central Metering Services and Security Head Lord Percival B. Cheng; Meralco HMB Central Business Area Head Joy P. Mendoza; One Meralco Foundation President Jeffrey O. Tarayao; Meralco First Vice President and Head of Customer Retail Services Charina P. Padua; Meralco Senior Vice President, Chief Revenue Officer, and One Meralco Foundation Trustee Ferdinand O. Geluz; Manila City Administrator Atty. Eduardo P. Quintos XIV; 4th District City Councilor Louisa J. Quintos-Tan; Barangay 581 Chairman Areeya Espino; Barangay 107 Chairman Cheryl Gonzales; and Barangay 649 Chairman Diana Espinosa.
Just in time for the holiday season, Manila Electric Company (Meralco), led by Manuel V. Pangilinan, together with its corporate social responsibility arm, One Meralco Foundation (OMF), has brought safe and reliable electricity to 179 low-income households across four barangays in the City of Manila.
The newly energized homes are located in Barangay 581, Barangays 254 and 107, and Barangay 649 in the Baseco Compound at the Port Area. Before gaining legal power connections, many of the families relied on informal submetering arrangements with neighbors, a setup that posed safety risks and limited access to stable electricity.
A lighting ceremony marked the milestone, led by Meralco and OMF officials alongside local government representatives, symbolizing not only the arrival of power but also renewed hope for the beneficiary families. The electrification was carried out under OMF’s Household Electrification Program, which aims to provide low-income communities with legal, affordable, and dependable electricity connections.
Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso, represented by City Administrator Atty. Eduardo P. Quintos XIV, underscored the broader impact of the initiative, noting that access to electricity goes beyond infrastructure. He said the program reflects the city’s commitment to improving residents’ quality of life, empowering families, and building a brighter and more inclusive future for Manila’s communities.
The project was made possible through the collaboration of OMF with Meralco’s España-Tutuban and Malate Business Centers, the Manila Sector, and the City Government of Manila. Together, they worked to ensure that the newly connected households now enjoy safer living conditions and greater opportunities for productivity.
Meralco Senior Vice President, Chief Revenue Officer, and OMF Trustee Ferdinand O. Geluz emphasized that the Household Electrification Program is a long-term investment in people and communities. He said Meralco and OMF remain committed to working closely with local government units to bring light and opportunity to more Filipinos, stressing that electrification helps strengthen families, empower communities, and support inclusive and sustainable nation-building.
For OMF President Jeffrey O. Tarayao, the project reflects the enduring spirit of bayanihan. He said the partnership with national and local governments has delivered more than electricity, opening doors to new opportunities for families in Manila during the Christmas season. According to Tarayao, the initiative reinforces OMF’s mission to ensure that no Filipino family is left in the dark and that communities are enabled to become more productive and self-reliant.
As homes light up across these Manila barangays, the program stands as a reminder that access to safe and reliable power can transform lives, especially during a season defined by hope, warmth, and shared celebration.