Farmers in Cuyapo, Nueva Ecija now have a greener, more cost-efficient way to irrigate their fields, thanks to a solar-powered mobile irrigation system turned over by Manila Electric Company (Meralco).
The project, made possible by Meralco’s Corporate Retail Services Group, Meralco Employees’ Fund for Charity, Inc. (MEFCI), and One Meralco Foundation (OMF), provides a mobile irrigation pump equipped with a 3-kilowatt peak (kWp) solar photovoltaic system.
Members of the Bagong Anyo Namcu Farmers Irrigators Association Inc. previously spent around P12,000 per cropping cycle on diesel-powered pumps, with costs rising during dry seasons. With the solar system, farmers can now irrigate sustainably, improving crop quality — such as brown rice — and potentially selling yields at higher market prices.
This is the third solar irrigation system donated by Meralco’s Customer Retail Services Group to farmers in Nueva Ecija.
“We are happy to be part of projects that provide long-term assistance to our farmers. Together, let us plant the seeds for a brighter tomorrow for our families, our community, and our nation,” said Charina P. Padua, Meralco Senior VP and Head of Customer Retail Services.
Engr. Ferdinand O. Geluz, Meralco Senior VP and Chief Revenue Officer, also emphasized the initiative’s lasting impact: “We believe the cooperative can create more value from this solar system, translating into sustainable benefits for the community. This reflects our commitment to inclusive and sustainable development.”
Cuyapo Mayor Jose Hidalgo welcomed the donation, noting, “This gift from Meralco is very timely. Our farmers can use it just in time for the second cropping season.”
OMF’s Agriculture and Livelihood Electrification program is part of a broader portfolio providing solar-powered solutions for schools, water access points, and rural health centers, delivering sustainable benefits to communities across the Philippines.