PARTNERSHIP

Meralco Cultivates Sustainability Commitment with Urban Farm Initiative

DT · May 16, 2024, 12:01 AM

Meralco continues to champion sustainability in its operations with its latest initiative, the PowerPlants Urban Farm located at the Meralco headquarters.

As part of its continuing efforts to integrate sustainability in its operations, the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) recently launched its latest initiative, the “PowerPlants” urban farm, located within its headquarters in Pasig City.

The 300-square meter urban farm features an array of vegetables such as pechay, kangkong, mustasa, eggplants, malunggay, chilies, cabbages, tomatoes, ginger, and ladyfingers.

Aside from vegetables, fruit-bearing plants such as strawberries, papayas, bananas, and calamansi are also grown in the farm. In its first 100 days, PowerPlants has already yielded over a hundred kilograms of fresh produce, benefitting Meralco employees, particularly the company’s security and maintenance personnel who are in charge of the urban farm’s upkeep, as well as employees from different departments.

VISIONARY LEADERSHIP. Meralco Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Manuel V. Pangilinan emphasized the role of the distribution utility in pushing for sustainability.

In line with its commitment to sustainability, Meralco has utilized recyclable materials in the cultivation of PowerPlants, repurposing disposed electric meters and empty plastic bottles into pots to reduce the environmental impact of its operations.

Meralco First Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer Raymond B. Ravelo emphasized the significance of PowerPlants in deepening Meralco’s sustainability agenda.

“PowerPlants heightens our commitment to our sustainability agenda, ‘Powering the Good Life’. By cultivating this urban farm, we are able to foster stronger bonds among our employees, our communities, and the environment. Indeed, it is a tangible manifestation of our dedication to creating a brighter and greener tomorrow for all,” he stated.

Complementing this effort, Meralco also maintains urban farms at its Manila Sector Office and Novaliches Business Center.

SUSTAINABILITY AS A WAY OF LIFE. A maintenance personnel harvests pechay from the urban farm for distribution to employees.

Sowing seeds of sustainability

The genesis of PowerPlants can be traced back to the visionary leadership of Meralco Chairman and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan, who championed the idea of establishing an urban farm within the company’s premises.

“We stay true to our word—first to deliver power, to light up people’s homes, offices, malls, factories at the least cost to our customers. But on top of that, we have attached the responsibility of preserving our environment,” Mr. Pangilinan affirmed. During the ceremonial launch of PowerPlants, Meralco leaders, led by Mr. Pangilinan, harvested fresh vegetables and planted new seedlings.

Beyond its produce, the success of PowerPlants is measured by its significant contribution to Meralco’s overarching sustainability agenda, “Powering the Good Life” as it helps promote the company’s efforts to champion stewardship of the environment. Deeply rooted in the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, Powering the Good Life focuses on four pillars: Power, Planet, People, and Prosperity.

CULTIVATING SEEDS OF CHANGE. Seen in the photo are (L-R, first row) Meralco Facilities Maintenance Lead Carlito L. Dela Cruz, Meralco SVP and Chief Revenue Officer Ferdinand O. Geluz, Meralco FVP and Chief Sustainability Officer Raymond B. Ravelo, Meralco Chief Corporate Social Responsibility Officer and One Meralco Foundation President Jeffrey O. Tarayao, Meralco SVP and Chief Audit Executive Melanie T. Oteyza, Meralco Chairman and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan, Meralco SVP and Chief HR Officer Edgardo V. Carasig, Meralco SVP and Head of Networks Froilan J. Savet, Meralco FVP and Head of Customer Retail Services Charina P. Padua, Meralco VP and Head of Supply Chain Management Glen N. San Pedro together with (second row, L-R) Meralco Bolts players, Meralco VP and Head of Corporate Communications Joe R. Zaldarriaga, and Meralco VP and Head of Facilities and Safety Management Jerry B. Lao during the launch of the urban farm at the Meralco headquarters.

Bayanihan for a greener tomorrow

Encouraging active employee participation, Meralco leaders stress the importance of sustaining PowerPlants, highlighting its benefits for mental health and stress relief.

“We invite our employees to visit the PowerPlants urban farm because it offers benefits beyond sustainability. Engaging in planting activities not only helps reduce our environmental impact, but also serves as a stress reliever, promoting mental health and well-being,” stated Meralco Vice President and Head of Facilities and Safety Management Jerry B. Lao.

Inspired by the spirit of bayanihan, Meralco employees are encouraged to contribute to the sustainability of PowerPlants by volunteering at the urban farm and by taking part in a seedling donation program managed by One Meralco Foundation (OMF). Moreover, employees are given the opportunity to pledge a portion of their salary to support the farm’s operations.

Jhay Bonsol, a gardener from Meralco subsidiary Miescor Logistics Inc., shared how the harvested crops have significantly reduced his daily food costs. “I save almost P200 a day because of the crops that I harvest from the farm,” he noted.

Looking ahead, Meralco aims to expand PowerPlants by setting up more urban farms in its sector offices and business centers across its franchise area, furthering its commitment to a more sustainable and greener future.