Meralco Vice President and Head of Corporate Communications Joe Zaldarriaga reiterated the company’s commitment to communication and transparency as key principles in maintaining close engagement with its customers on Friday, 17 October.

“To those who rely on Meralco service day in and day out, we will continue to serve and provide information that we believe will have the highest value for our fellow countrymen,” Zaldarriaga told DAILY TRIBUNE, highlighting the company’s tangible efforts in providing accurate, reliable, and real-time information to customers about electricity and rates.

“It was difficult at first because the criticism just wouldn’t stop—until we came up with the idea: why not create our own news program, our own public affairs initiative or show, which led to the launch of Meralco Advisory in 2013,” he added.

Among other platforms the company actively manages are Meralco Newsroom and Manong Joe, hosted by the man himself. Customers, in turn, are very attentive to such relevant information, as reflected in their page followings of 23,000 and 94,000, respectively.

“Learning is a process that never stops,” he emphasized, noting that despite being from the boomer generation, he personally ensures he stays attuned to the evolving needs of their consumers.

“So if prices increase, you just need to explain why. If rates go down, you also have to tell people why,” he said, underscoring the importance of their monthly press briefings that explain the rate structure and rate movements.

Meralco won 36 awards and was named Company of the Year at the 21st Philippine Quill Awards this year, marking its fifth recognition as Company of the Year by the award-giving body. Yet, Zaldarriaga noted, “We will never stop. And we hope to continue excelling in communications.”