MERALCO EMPOWERS WOMEN TO SUCCEED IN THE WORKPLACE AND BEYOND

Over the years, significant progress has been made in narrowing the gender gap across various industries including the energy sector which is historically dominated by men. However, despite steady advances in representation, women only account for less than 20 percent of the industry workforce as of 2023, according to the World Energy Employment 2024 report.

With major industry players like Manila Electric Company (Meralco), efforts toward diversity, inclusion, and sustainability continue to increase, leading to more opportunities for women to showcase their expertise, advance in their careers, and drive meaningful change in the industry.

As the world celebrates International Women’s Month, the Philippines’ largest electricity distributor honors the achievements of women who continue to break glass ceilings and redefine success. Whether in the workplace, at home, on the field, or in their communities, Meralco is proud to recognize and support the invaluable contributions of women who lead with passion, resilience, and excellence both within the company and beyond.

An empowered woman on and off the court

Among Meralco’s shining examples of excellence both on and off the court is Bien Zoleta — a customer care representative, four-time Southeast Asian (SEA) Games gold medalist for Soft Tennis, and one-half of the 2024 World Pickleball Champion duo.

Zoleta, who has been with Meralco for over 12 years, embodies the distribution utility’s commitment to empowering women to reach their full potential — proving time and again that success is not limited to a single path, and that women can achieve whatever they put their minds and hearts to.

“Because of Meralco, I’m able to pursue my passion for sports while thriving in a professional career in the corporate world,” Zoleta said, explaining that it’s possible for her to achieve fulfillment in both the personal and professional aspects of her life.

“I’m very passionate about sports because as an athlete, I represent the country. In being an employee, meanwhile, I serve the people through Meralco’s service,” she said.

Zoleta made her mark in sports as the first Filipino to win not just one but two SEA Games gold medals for Soft Tennis back in 2019, which coincided with the Philippines’ hosting of the regional sports meet.

Wiping a tear from her right eye during the interview, Zoleta can only beam with pride and joy as she looked back on her historic journey to win the medal — sharing that it would not have been possible without Meralco’s supportive and positive work environment that enables her to thrive as an employee-athlete.

“Meralco made me realize that I am not just an employee — that I can go beyond my role to contribute more to the community, which in my case, is through sports,” Zoleta said in Filipino, crediting the company’s athletic leave benefit which enabled her to focus on her sports training while maintaining her corporate career.

In 2023, Zoleta repeated her SEA Games feat — winning two more gold medals for Soft Tennis even after an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.

The victory, which cemented her status as a decorated Soft Tennis player, was made sweeter when Meralco collaborated with the Philippine Soft Tennis Association and the Quezon City local government unit to introduce the sport to persons with disability (PWDs).

“I find fulfillment in the fact that I don’t only go to work for my personal career but also to contribute to the community as well,” she said.

A female linecrew ready to reach new heights

Breaking barriers in the energy industry and ready to reach new heights is Meralco female linecrew Mary Rose Calasin, who traded her office job for a hard hat in a testament to the grit and commitment women showcase to pursue their passion.

The 29-year-old linecrew formally joined the distribution utility last year after completing the Meralco Linecrew Training Program (MLTP), which equips both men and women with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in the field of power distribution.

“Many people are often surprised to find out that there are women who work as a linecrew, who can climb electric poles,” Calasin said in Filipino. “This motivates me to do better because I realize that many are inspired by the fact that women can do this job.”

Formerly working as an encoder, Calasin said she immediately grabbed the opportunity to join Meralco as a linecrew, who is always out on the field ensuring that homes and businesses have reliable electricity service.

The seventh in a brood of eight, Calasin said her stable employment in Meralco allows her to care for her elderly dad and even provide support to other family members when needed.

“Meralco is really a good company which is why I never take my employment here for granted. I always make sure that when I go to work, I learn something new each day and that I am able to inspire others through my work,” she said.

It was in 2013 when Meralco pioneered the training and hiring of female linecrew in Southeast Asia as part of its commitment to champion diversity and inclusion. Currently, Meralco has 25 female linecrew in its roster.

As a woman working in a traditionally male-dominated industry, Calasin takes pride in her skills, noting that she sees it as an advantage in her profession. Recalling her experience restoring power lines in Quezon City following the onslaught of severe tropical storm “Kristine” in late October last year, Calasin said she realized the importance of the work that she does for the communities Meralco serves when she saw people cheering her on.

“I feel fulfilled when I see that there are people who trust in my capabilities and skills, and whenever my work inspires people,” she said.

Championing diversity and inclusion

Zoleta and Calasin prove that there is a place for women to grow, find fulfillment, and succeed in their respective fields — especially when there is ample support.

Meralco’s commitment goes beyond powering communities. For the company, advancing diversity and inclusion to help women reach their full potential adds more meaning to the work that it does for its stakeholders.

As a testament to this, Meralco is a pioneer signatory of the United Nations’ Women’s Empowerment Principles (UN WEPs) — fortifying its commitment to promote a gender-diverse and inclusive workplace.

Through its overarching diversity and inclusion program #Mbrace, Meralco continues to recognize the importance of promoting gender equality to build a brighter and more equal future for all, with the goal of increasing female representation in its workforce to 40 percent by 2030.

As of end-2024, Meralco has achieved over 23 percent women representation — significantly higher than the global energy sector average of 13 percent.

Meralco also established the Yes You Can! Program — a coaching and mentoring initiative led by the company’s female executives, to help women managers and supervisors unlock their full potential as leaders.

As more women like Zoleta and Calasin reach new heights in their respective careers to share their light to others, they hope that their experiences and achievements will inspire more women to excel in whatever field they choose.

“Our dedication to all the arenas of our life proves our resilience, strength, and ability to excel, so let’s keep pushing forward and don’t forget to celebrate the wins — big or small,” Zoleta said.

“Women are not just women. We are women who can — can do what men do and can excel in whatever we put our mind and heart to,” Calasin said.