Vantage Energy, Manila Electric Company (Meralco) 's first affiliate retail electricity supplier, has expanded into the Mindanao market through new retail electricity supply agreements with local food manufacturing and processing companies.

The company said Monday that it signed supply deals with Philippine Spring Water Resources, Inc. (PSWRI), the maker of Nature’s Spring bottled water, and Cagayan Corn Products Corporation (CCPC), a producer of cornstarch, corn grits, and other feed ingredients.

“Vantage Energy sees tremendous growth potential in Mindanao. Our new strategic partnerships with local businesses not only mark the beginning of a more energized and dynamic region but also reflect the broader momentum of development beyond the capital,” Vantage Energy President Ernesto Cabral said.

“With our goal to deliver a stable and dependable electricity supply, we are committed to providing comprehensive and innovative solutions that will help fuel Mindanao’s economic growth and sustainable development,” he added.

As part of its long-term strategy, Vantage Energy said it plans to educate Mindanao stakeholders on the benefits of the Competitive Retail Electricity Market (CREM) and empower electricity end-users to make informed decisions based on their energy requirements.

To recall, the Department of Energy launched the Retail Competition and Open Access (RCOA) framework in Mindanao, allowing eligible consumers—those with at least 500 kilowatts of average peak demand over the past 12 months—to choose their retail electricity supplier. It mirrors the setup already in place in Luzon and Visayas under CREM.