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There was a clear message from Pasig City as government and private sector leaders stood side by side to strengthen the country’s energy future and ensure more Filipinos benefit from reliable and affordable electricity.

At the headquarters of the Manila Electric Company, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. joined Meralco Chairman and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan, Department of Energy Secretary Sharon S. Garin, and Energy Regulatory Commission Chairperson Francis Saturnino C. Juan to reaffirm their shared commitment to social protection, renewable energy expansion, and universal access to electricity.

These are the same priorities outlined by President Marcos in his 2025 State of the Nation Address, and Meralco says it is aligning its programs closely with the administration’s national energy agenda.

Making electricity more affordable

One of the key focus areas is consumer protection. Pangilinan highlighted the strengthened implementation of the Lifeline Rate Subsidy Program to make sure marginalized families fully receive discounts on their power bills.

Meralco has also streamlined the application process for Net Metering. This makes it easier for households to install rooftop solar panels and participate in the program. The move supports the administration’s goal of energizing at least one million homes through rooftop solar by 2028.

Solar projects gaining ground

Beyond policies, the company pointed to projects already making an impact.

A hybrid solar facility was recently launched to provide 24/7 electricity to more than 1,000 residents of Cagbalete Island in Mauban, Quezon. The project aims to bring stable power to an underserved community using both traditional and innovative grid solutions.

At a much larger scale, Meralco PowerGen Corporation is preparing to energize MTerra Solar, a 3,500 megawatt solar farm paired with a 4,500 megawatt hour battery energy storage system. Once fully operational, it will be the largest integrated solar facility in the country. An initial 85 megawatts of power is expected to be dispatched this month, less than 15 months after President Marcos led the project’s inauguration in November 2024.

Exploring nuclear energy options

Meralco also secured a US 2.8 million technical assistance grant from the United States Trade and Development Agency to fund a comprehensive study on the possible deployment of nuclear power plants in the Philippines. The initiative aligns with the government’s ongoing push to explore safe and responsible nuclear energy as part of a diversified energy mix.

A partnership powering the nation

Pangilinan emphasized that these milestones were achieved through strong cooperation among government agencies, regulators, utilities, and local communities.

He thanked the administration for its direction and support, saying the partnership has allowed Meralco to translate national policy into programs that deliver measurable benefits for Filipino consumers.

President Marcos, in turn, commended Meralco’s electrification efforts and renewable energy initiatives. He said projects that expand access to electricity and boost renewable capacity play a vital role in strengthening energy security while reducing the country’s carbon footprint.

As one of the country’s largest distribution utilities, Meralco reaffirmed its commitment to go beyond simply delivering power. The company says it will continue working closely with government partners to advance long term energy security and help drive sustainable and inclusive growth nationwide.