By Komfie Manalo
At least 255 homes in multiple barangays (villages) in Doña Remedios Trinidad, Bulacan, will finally enjoy the benefits of electrification, which will ultimately offer them new economic opportunities, as One Meralco Foundation (OMF) energized their community.
OMF, the corporate social responsibility arm of Manuel V. Pangilinan-led Meralco, through its flagship initiative, Household Electrification Program, Meralco's Sta. Maria Business Center and Plaridel Sector partnered with the Municipality of Doña Remedios Trinidad to allow low-income families to have access to stable electricity service.
"Our residents greatly benefitted from this program, allowing their homes to have their electric meter. One Meralco Foundation, Meralco, and its contractors' efforts to ensure access to reliable electricity will improve their daily living conditions," Doña Remedios Trinidad Mayor Ronaldo T. Flores said.
Access to energy is central to issues such as security, climate change, food production, and strengthening economies while protecting ecosystems. Increased access to electricity improves education, entertainment, health, comfort, protection, and productivity.
According to OMF, the partnership provides assistance and installs individual service entrances for residents of Barangays Pulong Sampaloc, Camachile, and Camachin. This enables them to have their own electricity connection and minimizes the risk of fire hazards due to illegal connections and the use of candles for lighting at night.
The electrification program also helped improve the lives of residents, like Leah Laron, who shared, "We bought a new freezer so we could also sell ice and other frozen products in our sari-sari store. With internet access, my children can now research online for their homework, and we can easily communicate with our loved ones."
In addition, the program allowed the residents to manage their consumption and budget for electricity bills now that they have their electric service.
"For 15 years, we relied on our neighbor for electricity access. The arrangement was to split the bill equally among three households regardless of power consumption. To limit this, we only use one electric fan and essential lights. Now, we can conveniently use more appliances at home, including a nebulizer, which helps me with my asthma," resident Ana Marie Galvez said.
OMF's household electrification program will make basic services available to more underserved Filipinos, said Meralco Chief Corporate Social Responsibility Officer and OMF President Jeffrey O. Tarayao.
"Bringing electricity to homes is at the heart of One Meralco Foundation's mission. We empower not just the family by illuminating their homes. Still, we also unlock a world of possibilities for the community by enabling and enhancing productivity through new businesses that they can start, expand, and evolve. Through this, we contribute positively not just to the community but to our country's growth and development," he said.
Since 2015, OMF has energized more than 2,600 homes in Doña Remedios Trinidad. The effective partnership with the local government was also recognized at the 2023 Meralco Luminaries, which honor outstanding customer partners in nation-building efforts.
Meralco, through OMF, strongly supports the government in its pursuit of 100% electrification. Aside from its Household Electrification Program, it also powers remote, off-grid public schools and helps communities become more productive by energizing livelihood facilities, rural health centers, and water access facilities, driving sustainable development opportunities to underserved communities in the country.
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