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While public conversation often focuses on artificial intelligence and rapid technological advancements, a more foundational issue persists across the Philippines: stable and reliable electricity remains out of reach for many communities. This challenge was front and center in President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s 2025 State of the Nation Address, where he acknowledged the frequent power outages in rural areas and the over three million households in the countryside that still lack access to electricity, vowing to achieve full household electrification by the end of his term.

The urgency of this situation is clear from an economic standpoint. A 2023 study by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies estimated that a single power interruption experienced by electric cooperatives results in P10.7 billion in losses from local government revenue. The study stressed that improving electricity reliability, particularly outside the National Capital Region, is both crucial and urgent because unreliable supply has major repercussions on local growth and development.

Fortunately, the country does not need to look far for a blueprint on stable and reliable electricity service. The Manila Electric Company, Meralco, with over a century of industry expertise and a reputation for resilient distribution and operational efficiency, is now actively working to bridge the service gap by partnering with rural electric cooperatives.

Through its educational arm, the Meralco Power Academy, the utility is empowering cooperatives with training and shared solutions, including specialized lineman training programs. Meralco Senior Vice President and Chief External and Government Relations Officer Arnel P. Casanova explains that as the biggest power distribution company, they believe it is their moral duty to invest in electric cooperatives to uplift everyone. He emphasized that the intent is not to displace cooperatives but to partner with them through capital infusion and training to improve their quality of service.

This strategic approach underscores the critical link between economic development and energy reliability. The company is seeking to replicate the economic success seen in its existing service areas in Batangas, where municipalities under Meralco's coverage, such as Sto. Tomas, Batangas City, and San Pascual, have seen a cumulative annual growth rate of 14 percent. This figure significantly outpaces the growth rates recorded in the service areas of Batangas Electric Cooperative I and II. Meralco has formally expressed its intent to partner with both BATELEC cooperatives to help enhance the delivery of reliable power distribution. As Casanova noted, where distribution is strong, industries thrive, and Meralco’s growth in Batangas is proof that strong utilities attract investment and jobs.

Meralco's performance metrics demonstrate its value as a knowledge partner. The company is often regarded as the gold standard in electricity service, backed by operational efficiency that far surpasses industry standards. For instance, in an area serviced by Meralco, the system average interruption frequency index—the average number of times a customer experiences an outage in a year—was about 94 percent lower than the average for electric cooperatives. Furthermore, the average duration of power interruptions was only 108 minutes, compared to the average of 1,706 minutes for cooperatives during the same year.

With its technical expertise, operational scale, and a franchise extended until 2053, Meralco is well positioned to continue driving inclusive economic growth in the countryside. By ensuring improved electricity service that meets the evolving needs of communities and industries alike, Casanova believes that providing reliable, quality power to the countryside will attract investments and build a strong foundation for the country's manufacturing and technology sectors, allowing the nation to compete effectively with its neighbors.