Manuel V. Pangilinan-led Manila Electric Company (Meralco), the country’s largest private electric distribution utility, is taking the lead in shaping a skilled Filipino workforce vital to building a smarter, cleaner, and more resilient energy future.
At the recent Inquirer Campus Talks themed “Skilling the Workforce for the Future of the Power Industry,” Meralco First Vice President and Head of Networks Froilan J. Savet underscored the urgent need to prepare young talents for the evolving demands of the power sector.
Savet pointed to the ongoing transformation of the energy grid—from traditional to smart systems powered by sensors, smart meters, and artificial intelligence; from centralized to distributed networks with solar rooftops, microgrids, and community batteries; and from passive to interactive models where consumers become active “prosumers.”
With the rise of renewable energy, electric vehicles, and emerging technologies such as Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), Savet emphasized the importance of a workforce equipped with both technical expertise and adaptive soft skills.
To address this, Meralco has intensified its talent development initiatives. These include sponsoring advanced degrees and professional licenses for employees, training over 180 individuals in data analytics and coding, benchmarking with global utilities, and strengthening local capability through its PowerTech Smart Grid Lab.
Through the Meralco Power Academy (MPA), the company also launched the Filipino Scholars and Interns on Nuclear Engineering (FISSION) program, which sends Filipino scholars abroad to develop the next generation of nuclear energy innovators.
“A career in the power sector is not just a job. It’s a mission to change lives. This is the kind of work that builds not just careers—but a nation,” Savet stressed.
The event gathered students and young professionals eager to explore opportunities in the power industry and highlighted Meralco’s broader mission of inspiring and empowering the next generation of energy leaders.
As the Philippines accelerates its energy transition, Meralco continues to champion innovation, collaboration, and inclusive growth—ensuring that the future of energy is powered by skilled Filipino talent.