Manuel V. Pangilinan-led One Meralco Foundation (OMF), the corporate social responsibility arm of Manila Electric Company (Meralco), has energized 170 low-income households in Barangay San Mateo in Norzagaray, Bulacan, enabling families to improve their quality of life and even establish home-based
businesses.
Many of these households from Sitios Compra, Alinsangan, Macawani, Ipo, Centro, liwasan, Hulo, and Sapang Saging didn’t have their own access to electricity, which led to many residents resorting to costly submetering arrangements.
Through its Household Electrification Program (HEP) and with the help of Meralco’s Sta. Maria Business Center, OMF installated service entrances and provided technical assistance to the residents to help them gain legitimate access to stable and reliable electricity service.
For eight years, the family of Francisco Lagman who lives in Sitio Sapang Saging, had relied on submetering from neighbors. Despite using electricity only for a television, an electric fan, and phone charging, they were charged a fixed rate of P1,000 per month. With the support of OMF and Meralco, the Lagman household is now directly connected to Meralco – which could reduce their electricity expenses. The savings can help fund the education of their two children who are still in school.
Resident Melinda Borromeo, whose family has been a beneficiary of OMF’s HEP for six years already, continues to reap the benefits of having reliable access to Meralco’s service. Since then, she has established her own sari-sari store and carinderia, as well as a piso WiFi business that generate up to ₱8,000 monthly,
allowing her to comfortably cover her electricity expenses.
When OMF and Meralco returned to their community to identify a new batch of beneficiaries, she encouraged her son—who now lives independently—to apply for the program, saying “it has been a big help and much lighter on the pocket.”
Mayor Maria Elena L. Germar expressed her gratitude OMF and Meralco for their efforts in supporting low-income communities in Norzagaray. “Our partnership with you has already made a meaningful difference in the lives of our constituents, and we look forward to our continued collaboration as we work together for the betterment of our community. With programs like this that bring hope to our constituents, tunay ngang may liwanag ang buhay.”
“Seeing the light in homes here in Norzagaray which once faced difficulties in the dark is a powerful reminder of what we can achieve together. By illuminating lives, we help create productive families, and stronger, more resilient communities,” OMF President Jeffrey O. Tarayao, for his part, said.
Since 2011, OMF through its Household Electrification Program energized more than 79,000 low-income households within the Meralco franchise area, enabling families to become more productive at home, to boost their income, and to contribute to the progress in their immediate communities and their
provinces.