As part of its commitment to continuously bring value to the communities it serves, the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) has been relentless in crafting and implementing transformative programs that drive sustainable and inclusive impact.

Emerging as a beacon of excellence in the global stage, the country's largest electric distribution utility honored its partners and customers after it received recognitions for its remarkable initiatives at the recently concluded 2023 International Business Awards (IBA) held in Rome, Italy.

Meralco brought home four (4) Gold and four (4) Bronze Stevie awards for programs centered on sustainability and corporate social responsibility.

Known as one of the world's most coveted recognitions since its establishment in 2002, the prestigious Stevie Awards is an annual awards program participated in by top corporations across the globe to showcase professional achievements who compete for various awards. It honors the positive contributions of organizations and working professionals.

Recognizing Meralco's outstanding leaders

With sustainability at the core of its operations since 2019, Meralco has since been going beyond its mandate of delivering stable and reliable electric service for its 7.8 million customers.

The company has positioned itself at the forefront of this drive through its overarching sustainability program aptly called Powering the Good Life, which has earned international recognitions over the years.

Yet another result of its unwavering commitment to drive impactful sustainability initiatives forward, Meralco emerged as the sole Gold Stevie awardee under the "Sustainability Leadership Award in Asia, Australia, and New Zealand" category in this year's IBA.

As the driving force behind these initiatives, Meralco leaders who are instrumental to the remarkable success of Powering the Good Life also received remarkable distinctions for their exceptional leadership.

Meralco First Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer Raymond B. Ravelo was named as the "Sustainability Hero of the Year in Asia, Australia, and New Zealand".

Mr. Ravelo received the notable citation for demonstrating his expertise in driving Meralco's transformational sustainability programs anchored on four strategic pillars — Power, People, Planet, and Prosperity.

"Our just, orderly, and affordable transition to clean energy is at the core of our sustainability journey. And this commitment solidifies our drive to bring to life programs and initiatives that will help serve the country's growing energy demand with greener power," Mr. Ravelo said.

Meralco Chief Corporate Social Responsibility Officer Jeffrey O. Tarayao, meanwhile, was recognized as the "Thought Leader of the Year" for his outstanding ability to lay down programs and initiatives that address the low hanging fruits of the society, benefitting marginalized communities. 

Among OMF's flagship programs are community electrification, environmental stewardship, and community relations. The Foundation has provided support to unenergized communities, off-grid public schools, livelihood centers and health centers across the Philippine archipelago.

"The various international recognitions of Meralco's corporate social responsibility programs encourage us to continuously elevate our solutions so we can sustainably respond to the ever-evolving challenges of inclusion and the unique needs of the communities we serve," Mr. Tarayao said.

International citations for Meralco's programs and initiatives

Among the company's programs that earned a Gold Stevie is "Meralco's Spectrum on Solar Rooftop Installation: The Gift That Keeps on Giving" under the Sustainability and Environment Video Awards category.

The three-minute video featured environmental advocate and social entrepreneur Illac Diaz showcasing the benefits of investing in solar power after he gifted his parents a 9.24kWp solar photovoltaic (PV) system for their home. The concept and execution of the audio-visual material earned praises for clearly stating how customers can maximize their solar investments.

Meralco's positive contributions to society were also lauded at the IBA. The company's social development arm, OMF, bagged three (3) Bronze Stevie awards for its impactful programs that empowers far-flung communities in the country.

The Foundation's community electrification program, "Electrification for Development: Improving the Lives of Last-Mile Filipinos", was awarded a Bronze Stevie under the Corporate Social Responsibility Program of the Year in Asia, Australia, and New Zealand category for its innovation in harnessing solar capabilities to provide solutions for the rural community's basic needs.

Taking home a Bronze Stevie was OMF's flagship environmental stewardship initiative "One For Trees: Empowering People and Communities to Nurture Our Forests" for its practical and concrete initiatives in addressing climate change, involving stakeholders and local communities.

With the core objective of contributing to the preservation of Philippine forests and providing livelihood to communities through reforestation and agroforestry, OMF has already planted and nurtured more than 2 million trees across the country.

OMF's "Powering-Up Communities During the Pandemic" also received a Bronze Stevie under the Communications Campaign of the Year — Corporate Social Responsibility category. The campaign highlighted the challenges of community electrification amid the global health crisis.

The Foundation's Household Electrification Program has so far energized more than 6,000 low-income households within its franchise area.

Rounding up Meralco's haul is the Bronze Stevie win awarded to "#Mbrace, Meralco's Diversity and Inclusion Program", which clearly encapsulates the company's efforts in fostering a gender-balanced and inclusive workplace.

Through #Mbrace, Meralco aims to increase women representation in its workforce to 40% by 2023. Currently, 23% of the workforce comprises women — significantly higher compared to the global average in the energy sector of 13%.

As sustainability and Malasakit continue to sit side by side at the heart of the company, Meralco will stay the course of going beyond providing electric service through its wide array of impactful and life-changing initiatives.

These international accolades further strengthen Meralco's advocacy to empower people and communities within and outside of its franchise area.