One Meralco Foundation energizes 300 schools located in far-flung areas

One Meralco Foundation has energized more than 300 geographically isolated schools using solar lights since 2011 to 2025.

"We've energized 305 schools around the country as of end of 2025," One Meralco Foundation President Jeffrey Tarayao told members of the PaMaMariSan-Rizal Press Corps during a lunch meeting over the weekend. "We're the only foundation doing that."

Aside from the public schools, the Foundation has also energized rural health centers.

"At the average, I think, the people in the community will have to walk about 2.6 kilometers to reach the nearest health center. Otherwise, they will have to go to the main health center, which is about 9 to 10 kilometers," Tarayao said.

Outside its franchise areas, Meralco provides energy access to underprivileged communities using solar lights, Tarayao said.

"We really focused on the remotest. First of all, the schools are really being energized by electric power. But the schools that are very far away, the ones that you need to travel for 2 hours," Tarayao added.

Aside from schools and health centers, Meralco also energizes agriculture and livelihood facilities.

"For example, a coffee processing facility in Bukidnon. Right now, they are providing beans," Tarayao said.

"There's also a fish processing facility in an island in Surigao del Norte. If you go to Siargao, this one is another island, about 2 hours away by boat," he added.