Meralco announced that it joins 483 other companies as a member of the 2023 Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index, a modified market capitalization-weighted index developed to gauge the performance of public companies dedicated to reporting gender-related data.

This reference index measures gender equality across five pillars: leadership and talent pipeline, equal pay and gender pay parity, inclusive culture, anti-sexual harassment policies, and external brand.

The 2023 GEI reaches globally to represent 45 countries and regions, including firms headquartered in Luxembourg, Ecuador, and Kuwait for the first time. Member companies represent a variety of sectors, including financials, technology, and utilities, which continue to have the highest company representation in the index from 2022.

Meralco is the first and only electric utility in the Philippines to be included in the GEI.

“As we continue powering the good life for all, we firmly believe that embracing women empowerment and promoting gender equality is key to building an inclusive and sustainable future,” said Meralco president and chief executive officer Atty. Ray C. Espinosa.

Meralco submitted a social survey created by Bloomberg in collaboration with subject matter experts globally. Those included on this year’s index scored at or above a global threshold established by Bloomberg to reflect disclosure and the achievement or adoption of best-in-class statistics and policies.

Both the survey and the GEI are voluntary and have no associated costs, and Bloomberg collected this data for reference purposes only. The index is not ranked. While all public companies are encouraged to disclose supplemental gender data for their company’s investment profile on the Bloomberg Terminal, those with a market capitalization of $1 billion are eligible for inclusion in the Index.