The Manila Electric Company (Meralco) has expanded electricity access in Cagbalete Island in Mauban, Quezon, switching on power for more homes through its Microgrid System Project ahead of the Christmas season.

Meralco executives led by chief operating officer Ronnie L. Aperocho, chief revenue officer Ferdinand O. Geluz and chief corporate social responsibility officer and One Meralco Foundation (OMF) president Jeffrey O. Tarayao spearheaded the ceremonial lighting on 18 December.

They were joined by Department of Energy Secretary Sharon S. Garin, Energy Regulatory Commission Chair Atty. Francis Saturnino C. Juan, Quezon Gov. Dr. Angelina D.L. Tan, and Mauban Mayor Erwin Dwight C. Pastrana.

“We celebrate the fulfillment of a promise that progress should reach every Filipino home. This project is a testament to what can be achieved when the government, regulators, and the private sector work hand-in-hand for the greater good,” Aperocho said.

In time for the holidays, Meralco, through its corporate social development arm One Meralco Foundation, also rolled out community support initiatives on the island. These included lighting up the Our Lady of Fatima Chapel, distributing 100 Noche Buena packages to families, providing 300 Balik Eskwela school kits to students, and turning over five printers and 12 laptops to barangay offices and schools.

The Cagbalete Microgrid is designed to deliver 24/7 electricity to more than 1,000 households and businesses. Once fully built out over the next three years, it is expected to become the largest microgrid system in the Philippines.

The project aims to achieve 100 percent household-level electrification on the island while supplying renewable energy that could offset up to 42,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions — supporting environmental protection and advancing the country’s sustainable energy goals.