One Meralco Foundation powers sustainable livelihoods
POWERING sustainable livelihood. The installation of the e-trike charging station was made possible by the efforts of DSWD, represented by Assistant Secretary Ulysses Aguilar (rightmost), OMF led by president Jeffrey Tarayao (fourth from right), the city government of Valenzuela led by Congressman Kenneth Gatchalian (fifth from right), Barangay Lawang Bato chairman Oristes Tolentino (3rd from right) and MULCETRODA led by president Editho Advincula (3rd from left).
PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF ONE MERALCO FOUNDATION
As another year started, One Meralco Foundation (OMF), the corporate social responsibility arm of Manila Electric Company (Meralco) did not waste any time — taking yet another step to bring valuable projects that make an impact to the lives of more Filipinos.
For OMF, starting the year “right” is not a matter of simply turning the calendar. It was the perfect time to bring hope and empower communities by providing support that make their livelihoods sustainable.
Through its Agriculture and Livelihood Program (ALE), the Manuel V. Pangilinan-led foundation empowers communities through sustainable livelihoods, from providing charging stations for electric tricycle (e-trike) drivers in Valenzuela City to providing a solar-powered irrigation system for local farmers in Nueva Ecija.
New year, new source of livelihood
Last January, a new community-based sustainable transport initiative was set to significantly improve the operation and livelihood of 117 electric tricycle (e-trike) drivers in Barangay Lawang Bato, Valenzuela City.
Made possible by the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Sustainable Livelihood Program and Manuel V. Pangilinan led One Meralco Foundation (OMF), the project covers new coin-operated e-trike chargers from Meralco’s sustainability mobility arm Movem Electric Inc., which members of the Mulawinan Centro E-Trike Operators and Drivers Association (MULCETRODA) can readily use.
DRIVEN by clean energy. Some of the 117 members of the Mulawinan Centro E-Trike Operators and Drivers Association with OMF Program managers Grace Noche and Patrick Famisaran during the turnover ceremony of the e-trike charging station.
The initiative of DSWD and OMF aims to help e-trike drivers address key operational challenges including income losses due to frequent battery swaps during operating hours, financial strain due to high charging costs, and longer charging times when using other charging sources.
In recent years, MULCETRODA members have shifted to cleaner, battery-powered tricycles that improved passenger comfort and helped reduce emissions. However, the cost and long charging hours have taken a toll on their daily earnings. The project aimed to address these challenges.
The installation of five units of dual-outlet, 4.4-kilowatt coin-operated charging unit at the tricycle terminal in Mulawinan St., allows e-trike drivers to charge their batteries in the facility instead of traveling back home mid shift to recharge. With ten charging outlets operating up to 15 hours daily, the stations can accommodate more battery charges per day, ensuring reliable and affordable access for all association members.
MULCETRODA President Editho Advincula thanked all those who helped them and reiterated that he did not expect that they will have their own charging station as he only requested to have one electric meter and an outlet for his fellow drivers. “Hindi ko po akalain na aabot sa ganto, kasi ang hinihingi ko lang ay isang metro mula sa Meralco at [electric] outlet lang para may saksakan kami,” he said.
First District of Valenzuela Representative Kenneth Gatchalian hailed the project, calling it a model solution to the challenges faced by e-tricycle drivers. “This project is a huge help for our MULCETRODA, as this gave them the opportunity to have a modern charging station,” he said in Tagalog.
