MANILA, PHILIPPINES,  — The Manila Electric Company (Meralco), the largest distribution utility in the Philippines, reiterates its unwavering commitment to women's empowerment, underscoring its advocacy of fostering diversity and inclusivity in the workplace.

Meralco Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Manuel V. Pangilinan has added his name to the esteemed roster of business leaders endorsing the CEO Statement of Support for the Women's Empowerment Principles, a set of values established by the United Nations (UN) Women and the UN Global Compact. These principles provide a framework for business action aimed at cultivating more gender-equitable workplaces.

By making this commitment, Meralco reaffirms its dedication to taking tangible steps that promote gender equality and facilitate women's full engagement in the corporate landscape.

"Improving diversity and inclusion in the workplace should not just be a pro-forma sustainability effort—it is key in securing Meralco's future. Empowering women and advocating gender balance deepens the talent pool in our country, while also expanding the menu of possible careers for young women," Mr. Pangilinan said.

Beyond  providing  stable  and  dependable  electricity  service,  Meralco  actively  champions  women's empowerment through its gender diversity and inclusion program called #Mbrace. As part of this program, Meralco has significantly increased the representation of women in its workforce, reaching 22%, well above the global energy sector's average of 13%.

Meralco has been at the forefront of advancing women's empowerment for over a decade. In 2013, the energy company pioneered the training and hiring of female linecrew in Southeast Asia. Presently, Meralco boasts a roster of 20 female linecrew, with an additional seven currently undergoing training.

In 2022, Meralco extended its support to 18  female college students from various universities through scholarship grants designed to help them pursue their dreams of becoming professional electrical engineers. This initiative, named "MpowHER," covers allowances for food, transportation, book expenses, and internet connectivity  for  select  junior  Electrical  Engineering  students  as  they  prepare  for  their  final-year  board examination. Furthermore, they are provided the opportunity to undertake internships at Meralco and explore career prospects with the company upon graduation.

In recognition of its groundbreaking programs and initiatives, Meralco has become the first and only electric utility in the Philippines to be included in the Bloomberg Gender Equality Index, the world's sole environmental, social, and governance (ESG) assessment concentrating on gender equality in the workplace.

Meralco's distinction stems from its exceptional performance in areas such as anti-sexual harassment policies, gender pay equity, and the cultivation of an inclusive corporate culture.

At the recently concluded 2023 International Business Awards, Meralco's #Mbrace won a Bronze Stevie under the "Sustainability Initiative of the Year in Asia, Australia, and New Zealand" category in recognition of the program's holistic approach from policy development to communication rollout.