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.

During the Berde Renewables Collaboration Summit 2025, Meralco First Vice President and Head of Networks Froilan J. Savet said the flow of power generation has evolved from a single point to multiple directions due to the rise of solar rooftops, batteries, electric vehicles and microgrids. This makes the role of distribution utilities like Meralco even more critical in ensuring that these technologies do not strain the grid.

To keep up with these innovative technologies, part of Meralco’s grid modernization program is the integration of distribution energy resources (DERs) into its distribution system.

“Meralco is modernizing its grid to support the significant integration of renewable energy at its distribution system. We are not just distributing power to homes and businesses. We are now enabling a clean, flexible, and intelligent energy system toward a decentralized grid,” Savet said.

Under its grid modernization program, the company has laid out its DER strategy through the 4-I Framework: Integration, Innovation, Intelligence, and Interoperability.

The Integration pillar ensures that each new DER connection strengthens—rather than strain—the grid. The Innovation pillar focuses on promoting new solutions and technologies, such as battery energy storage, grid-forming inverters, and microgrids to enhance its distribution network and build a smarter grid.

Meralco is also leveraging Intelligence through the use of artificial intelligence (AI), to gain real-time visibility and control—enabling faster response and more accurate forecasting. Its Interoperability strategy ensures that different technologies connected to the grid operate smoothly and securely through standardized devices, harmonized protocols, and with strengthened cybersecurity.

Meralco is also upskilling its workforce to manage and operate a more complex grid, while closely aligning with regulators and policymakers to ensure compliance with national energy policies.

“The energy transition is already happening right now. The challenge for utilities is how quickly they can adapt to changes in the energy landscape while maintaining grid stability and reliability.  In Meralco, we’re not just preparing for it. We’re enabling it,” Savet said.

In a strategic business review session, the power distributor has laid down plans to boost infrastructure support to Ayala Land’s upcoming developments. Meralco is set to build new substations within several Ayala Land developments particularly for Circuit Makati and Parklinks Estate facing Quezon City and Pasig City. 

“In Ayala Land, we are very fortunate that we are able to sell the product on the strength of the brand. The truth is, that promise comes with a lot of responsibility and for us to be able to carry this out, we need partners. I cannot overemphasize the importance of Meralco to our commitments to our customers – whether these are communities that are starting or communities that are already thriving,” Ayala Land President and Chief Executive Officer Anna Ma. Margarita B. Dy said. 

For his part, Meralco Senior Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer Ferdinand O. Geluz, said: “Meralco’s long-standing collaboration with Ayala Land resulted in many successful endeavors over the years. With the upcoming projects involving the construction of substations, Ayala Land will enable us to fulfill our commitment in helping our communities grow by providing reliable and adequate electric service to more customers.” 

Currently, the power distributor has six (6) existing substation facilities serving Ayala Land estates. The real estate giant consistently provides a substation lot provision for its developments, allowing Meralco to energize projects in an efficient and timely manner. This is also aligned with the current administration’s priorities under its socio-economic agenda, particularly energy security and infrastructure development. 

“We, at Meralco, keep our lines of communication open with our enterprise partners such as Ayala Land. This enables continuous improvement and innovation in empowering not only our commercial customers but also businesses that support communities and power our economy,” Meralco Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Ronnie L. Aperocho concluded. 

Meralco crews recently conducted load-splitting operations and inspected its facilities in Hidalgo Street, Pasay City to enhance the service quality and reliability in the area. In the same operation, Meralco also replaced dilapidated wires that caused wire sparking. Low hanging cables were also corrected to prevent illegal connections and to ensure public safety.

“With the start of the rainy season, Meralco crews remain hard at work 24/7 to further strengthen our distribution system’s resiliency against possible severe weather disturbances and to actively contribute to the promotion of public safety,” Meralco First Vice President and Head of Networks Froilan J. Savet said.

Beyond conducting routine maintenance works, Meralco actively invests in the upgrading of its distribution facilities to continuously improve the reliability and quality of the electricity service it delivers to its 7.8 million customers.

In a recent courtesy call, Meralco Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Ronnie L. Aperocho assured PNP Chief General Benjamin Acorda Jr. of Meralco’s continued assistance through the proactive maintenance of electric facilities servicing police camps.  

Meralco, through its corporate social responsibility arm One Meralco Foundation, also helped boost the modernization efforts of the PNP with a donation of over 100 sets of ICT equipment, including computers and printers. As a dependable nation-building partner of the government, Meralco also plays an active role in the community engagement projects of the PNP. These include the electrification of rural communities supported by the PNP and the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, wire-clearing operations, and outreach programs. 

During the courtesy call, Aperocho expressed appreciation to Gen. Acorda Jr. for the PNP’s support in Meralco’s efforts to reduce system loss. Police officers help bolster this campaign by providing security assistance to Meralco crews who terminate and confiscate illegal service wires. 

“Meralco recognizes how crucial reliable and stable electricity service is for the PNP to effectively and efficiently fulfill its duty of protecting our communities’ safety and welfare. We share in this responsibility by continuously innovating and upgrading our facilities to deliver high-quality electricity service 24/7,” Aperocho said.