Following President Bongbong Marcos, Jr.’s directive to provide accessible lifelines, PLDT Group has expanded free call services and established additional stations at select PLDT and Smart stores in major malls nationwide. This builds on an earlier instruction from PLDT Group Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan to activate emergency communication support for Filipinos in affected regions.

Through TinBo (Tindahan ni Bossing), powered by PLDT Global, OFWs in Bahrain, Kuwait, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE can make free calls to the Philippines until March 15. TinBo is accessible via Google Play, the Apple App Store, and at www.tinbo.ph.

PLDT Home and Enterprise subscribers in the Philippines may also continue making free IDD calls to Gulf States, Israel, and Iran until March 15, while Smart and TNT subscribers can avail the service until March 14. Smart subscribers in affected countries can contact the Smart Crisis Hotline at +632 8845 7799 for urgent coordination with family members back home.

By providing these lifelines, PLDT Group reinforces its mission to empower every Filipino, turning digital innovation into real-world support, and amplifying the impact of the government’s advocacy for the welfare of Filipinos

Launched in 2021, #Mbrace began with a focus on women’s empowerment and representation, opening more doors for females in technical roles and leadership. In 2024, the program expanded its scope by including LGBTQIA+ individuals, championing a culture where every employee— regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation—feels recognized and valued.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION. Meralco employees show their commitment to fostering a more inclusive workplace. 

Meralco First Vice President and Head of Customer Retail Services, Charina Padua emphasized that #Mbrace goes beyond policy setting. 

“It means calling out biases, making room for honest conversations, and building a culture of allyship.  It also means recognizing the unique experiences of our LGBTQIA+ employees, and equipping our  leaders and customer-facing teams to handle situations of potential misunderstanding or  discrimination with empathy and professionalism,” Padua said. 

Meralco First Vice President and Head of Customer Retail Services Charina Padua 

As part of this year’s Pride Month celebrations, Meralco organized a series of activities that put the spotlight on D&I in action. The “Proud to Be Me” forum brought together thought leaders, company champions, and external partners to share lived experiences, reflect on inclusive leadership, and explore how everyday actions can help create safe spaces and a sense of belonging in the workplace. 

To celebrate employee voices, Meralco also featured LGBTQIA+ colleagues through special Pride  Month art cards, highlighting their stories and perspectives across internal channels. In a bold and visible show of solidarity, rainbow-themed pedestrian lanes were installed at Meralco’s Ortigas headquarters and in its ten sector offices, serving as colorful reminders of the company’s commitment to D&I.

Meralco First Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer Raymond Ravelo 

Meralco First Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer Raymond Ravelo underscored that the company’s D&I initiatives are closely tied to its broader sustainability agenda, Powering the Good Life, anchored on four pillars: Power, Planet, People, and Prosperity. “Inclusion is everyone’s responsibility. There is no powering the good life without empowered people. Inclusion does not require grand gestures—it grows through small, everyday actions that show people they belong,” Ravelo said. 

Meralco’s D&I efforts are further strengthened through strategic partnerships with two leading advocacy organizations: the Philippine Business Coalition for Women Empowerment (PBCWE) and the Philippine Financial and Inter-Industry Pride (PFIP). These collaborations help guide Meralco’s evolving practices and contribute to broader, industry-wide change. 

With plans to further expand the #Mbrace program to include Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), Meralco remains steadfast in its vision to create a truly inclusive, equitable, and accessible workplace.

The new ASEANA 115 kilovolt (kV) – 34.5 kV Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) Substation augments the distribution utility’s capability to reliably serve ASEANA City in Parañaque City and nearby developments.

The project entailed the installation of an 83-megavolt-ampere (MVA) power transformer, indoor 115-kV and 34.5 kV GIS switchgears, a 14.4 MVAr capacitor bank, and a 1.2-ohm neutral reactor. It also involved the construction of a GIS building and corresponding protection and control devices.

In addition, this project enhances Meralco’s operational efficiency with a projected system loss reduction of 373,392 kilowatt-hours (kWh) that translates into customer savings.

To ensure the continuity of power supply in the area, the ASEANA GIS Substation also alleviates the heavy loading of existing PAGCOR-1 transformer banks and provides enhanced switching flexibility during contingencies.

A smart substation equipped with advanced network automation technology, the project will serve the power requirements of business and commercial establishments including ASEANA 3, Ayala Malls Manila Bay, Bayprime Hotel, Capeton Baysuites, Hop Inn Hotel Aseana City Manila, K1 Center by Prestige Bay and Uni-Asia International Prime Holdings Inc., Manila Bay Development Corporation, Platinum Tower, Sequoia Hotel Manila Bay, Seda Manila Bay, and Sinocan Corporate Center.

The development of ASEANA GIS Substation is part of Meralco’s commitment to build a smarter, more resilient, and future-ready grid to ensure the delivery of safe, stable, and reliable electricity service to its customers.

“With the energization of ASEANA Substation, we continue to deliver on our commitment to invest heavily on infrastructure and projects that ensure power availability, especially in expanding economic hubs. This project plays a key role in improving system reliability and serving the dynamic power requirements of our customers,” Meralco First Vice President and Head of Networks Froilan J. Savet said.

In a message during the telcos’ celebration of Customer Care Month, Pangilinan emphasized the company’s unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction, stating, “The success or failure of our company hinges on our customers, and we must always prioritize their satisfaction.”

The PLDT Group has been actively working to improve customer service through various initiatives, including streamlining customer care channels and launching experience hubs nationwide, deploying digital solutions to accelerate payment services, expanding fiber and wireless networks, creating innovative products and value-packed services, protecting customers from fraud and cyber threats, providing swift service restoration and relief during disasters, and leveraging on technology to serve customers.

“It is clear that innovation like AI, bots, and recommendation engines are transforming the way we serve our customers. But it is our responsibility to ensure that while we leverage technology, our personal touch remains strong and unmistakable,” said Anastacio R. Martirez, Smart Chief Operating Officer.

PLDT and Smart also featured insightful sessions from industry experts like Merville Magtubo of Meralco and Paul Sears of Amazon Web Services and Venn Jude Francisco of Metro Pacific Tollways, who shared their knowledge of global CX best practices in a learning series that aims to upskill employees about customer service.

In celebration of Customer Care Month, various leaders of the PLDT group also gave their support for the companies to embrace customer centricity.

“We must dedicate ourselves to developing the competencies necessary for the future. As our customers evolve, we must continue to redefine what connectivity means for them, and deliver every service with pusong PLDT,” said Butch G. Jimenez, PLDT Chief Operating Officer.

Enterprise Business Head Jojo Gendrano also pointed out in a statement “Our commitment to providing exceptional service to our clients is what can set us apart. Customer Care is at the heart of our business, and it is your unwavering commitment that drives our success. Our customers are our top priority.”

Gina Ordoñez, Chief People Officer has pointed out that developing our capabilities is key to delivering exceptional customer service and stated, “Let us work together to ensure the success of our business today and for future generations, let us be the best Customer Experience champions for PLDT and Smart.”

Atty. Marilyn A. Victorio-Aquino, Chief Legal Counsel and Head of Procurement and Risk and Privacy Groups, has stated for CX Month, “Serve our customers as faithfully and efficiently as we can. We will strive for sharp execution of our programs and timely development of products that respond to our customers aspirations and ever-changing needs and lifestyles.”

These efforts align with the PLDT Group’s broader goal of providing connectivity to all and contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs), particularly SDG No. 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure. 

MSpectrum signed an agreement with Emperador’s subsidiary, Emperador Distillers, Inc. (EDI), to install a 640-kilowatt-peak (kWp) solar facility at EDI’s Sta. Rosa manufacturing plant in Laguna.

The project is expected to generate approximately 832,798 kWh of clean energy annually. This will allow EDI to reduce its carbon footprint by an estimated 593.12 metric tons, translating to more than 27,242 trees planted and more than 2.36 million kilometers reduced in vehicle travel per year.

“The contract signing with MSpectrum is a continuation of the transformative journey of our business. Their solar rooftop installation will not only help us achieve our sustainability goals but also significantly reduce our electricity costs. We are excited about our partnership with MSpectrum as we continue to explore more solar solutions for our facilities to maximize our energy efficiency and continue our commitment to a greener future,” EDI President and Chief Executive Officer Winston S. Co said.

For MSpectrum, the project with the world’s largest brandy producer demonstrates the solar company’s continuing pursuit to help companies achieve more efficient and sustainable operations. 

“Partnering with Emperador, a prominent player in the beverage industry, presents an exciting opportunity for MSpectrum. This collaboration allows us to leverage Emperador’s operational scale to implement impactful solar solutions. Through our tailored offerings and strategic alliances with leading technology partners, we are committed to delivering efficient, reliable, and safe solar installations that enhance energy efficiency, reduce costs, and contribute to a more sustainable future,” MSpectrum Chief Operating Officer Patrick Henry T. Panlilio said.

MSpectrum’s latest partnership builds on its collaboration with Anglo Watsons Glass Inc, a unit of EDI, where it installed a two-megawatt peak (MWp) solar photovoltaic (PV) system in its Canlubang glass manufacturing plant in 2023.

“We sincerely appreciate the trust that Emperador has placed in us as we work to be the premier renewable energy solution provider. We are fully committed to our partnership and look forward to leveraging our expertise to support Emperador in achieving its sustainability goals,” MSpectrum President and Chief Executive Officer Ma. Cecilia M. Domingo said.

Backed by Meralco’s energy expertise and proven safety track record, MSpectrum offers tailor-fit solar solutions for industrial, commercial, and residential customers through an in-depth understanding of energy consumption behaviors and strategic partnerships with world-class technology partners.#

The P35 million project involved the construction of the 115 kV Switching Station with an initial three (3) sets of 115 kV power circuit breakers, and various equipment for Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), protection and control, and telecommunications among others.

The project—which will improve the delivery of power output of Solar Tanauan’s 50 megawatt alternating current (MWac) power plant to the 115 kV system of Meralco—will provide additional green capacity to enhance the power service reliability in the areas of Calamba, Canlubang, and Cabuyao in Laguna.

Meralco continues to invest in the improvement of its distribution system to ensure the delivery of safe, stable, and reliable electricity service to its customers.

The partnership between Meralco and Doosan will focus on several key initiatives, such as the potential deployment of nuclear power facilities in the country, including the rehabilitation of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP). In addition, they will also study the use of small modular reactors (SMRs) to help meet the country’s growing power demand and achieve long-term energy security.

To help reduce carbon emissions, Meralco and Doosan will work together on the possible deployment of greenhouse gas reduction equipment, such as ammonia co-firing technology, for ageing thermal power plants.

The MOU also covers the possible development and supply of gas turbine for combined cycle power projects of Meralco’s subsidiaries, with Doosan to serve as the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractor for these projects.

Doosan Enerbility’s Vice Chairman Yeonin Jung said: “Our partnership with Meralco marks a significant milestone in advancing energy innovation and sustainability in the Philippines. By working together on transformative projects, this collaboration will contribute to the modernization of the country’s energy infrastructure and help ensure a stable and long-term supply of clean, reliable power. We are committed to being a strong and dependable partner to the Philippine power sector, supporting its continued growth and development.”

“It has always been Meralco’s commitment to proactively support the Philippine government’s thrust to achieve energy security which is crucial to our national development. Partnering with reputable and dependable companies like Doosan aligns well with our pursuit to continuously explore innovative energy solutions that we can adopt as we work towards ensuring the availability of sufficient, affordable and reliable power to meet our country’s long-term goals,” said Meralco Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Manuel V. Pangilinan, who led the ceremonial signing of the MOU.

The partnership comes as the Philippines and South Korea agreed to conduct a feasibility study on the revival of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP). The MOU between Meralco and Doosan was presented during the Philippines-Korea Business Forum, which forms part of South Korean President, which forms part of the recent state visit of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol in Manila.

Reinforcing the Philippines and Korea’s shared commitment to sustainable development and energy security, Meralco actively participates in nation-building by addressing the country’s energy challenges with meaningful partnerships and innovative projects.

The two companies have already started technical discussions, as the expansion is seen to be operational in the next couple of years. This power upgrade will provide stable and reliable supply crucial to SEMPHIL’s operations.

With him in the photo are: (Front row, from left) Meralco Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Ronnie L. Aperocho, SEMPHIL Head Office Support Team Vice President Kyutaeck Park, and (Back row, from left) Meralco Assistant Vice President and Head of Enterprise-Industrial Victor L. Risma IV, Meralco Senior Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer Ferdinand O. Geluz, Meralco First Vice President and Head of Customer Retail Services Charina P. Padua, Meralco Vice President and Head of Enterprise and National Government Ma. Cecilia M. Domingo, SEMPHIL Support Team Leader Young Kwon Kim, SEMPHIL Head Office Infrastructure Team Leader Myungrae Cho, and SEMPHIL Infrastructure Group Professional Baejeom Yi.

Meralco recognizes that semiconductors and electronics businesses like SEMPHIL play a vital role in the country’s economic growth and development.

A former OFW himself, Chairman Pangilinan spent 22 years working in Hong Kong. “OFWs work hard because that’s the only way to cope with homesickness,” he shared. “I called my mom every Sunday without fail when I was in Hong Kong. I missed speaking in Tagalog, I missed my adobo and pork chops.”

Knowing the plight of OFWs and how important it is for them to have both a line to the Philippine government in case of emergencies, and a strong connection back home to their families, Pangilinan underscored the value of the partnership between the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and PLDT Global Corporation (PLDT Global), uplifting the lives of Filipinos living overseas.

To help boost awareness and bridge the gap between Filipinos abroad and OWWA, PLDT Global has launched a new service that enables OFWs to access the OWWA Helpline 1348 for free via TINBO (Tindahan ni Bossing), the one-stop online marketplace for global Filipinos.

TINBO has integrated a helpline button that enables OFWs to connect to the OWWA Helpline 1348 through online or web-based calls swiftly and securely. To use, TINBO users simply need to log on to their TINBO account and click on their registered Smart Virtual Number to access the OWWA Helpline 1348 button.

“The government’s digitalization agenda will be a big step forward towards the welfare of our OFWs, to which we have pledged our full support. So, this partnership between OWWA and PLDT Global is a tangible manifestation of that support to help build our nation,” added Pangilinan.

Aside from Helpline 1348, PLDT Global and OWWA are rolling out even more initiatives to support OFWs during their stay overseas. And for when they come home, PLDT Global will also continue to roll out programs to support OFWs and their immediate families and dependents to help them reintegrate into the community through various re-skilling and upskilling trainings with partner agencies.

Powered by PLDT Global, TINBO is the one-stop marketplace that enables Filipinos living overseas to buy load, send food vouchers, e-gifts, healthcare PINs from mWell, and even gaming PINs for their families in the Philippines. They can also acquire a Smart virtual number (SVN) through TINBO, enabling them to receive OTPs from their e-wallets and e-banks in the Philippines like Maya. TINBO also enables overseas Filipinos access to a convenient and secure online bills payment platform for their Philippine utilities and other digital services while outside the Philippines.

Meralco Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Manuel V. Pangilinan has added his name to the esteemed roster of business leaders endorsing the CEO Statement of Support for the Women’s Empowerment Principles, a set of values established by the United Nations (UN) Women and the UN Global Compact. These principles provide a framework for business action aimed at cultivating more gender-equitable workplaces. 

By making this commitment, Meralco reaffirms its dedication to taking tangible steps that promote gender equality and facilitate women’s full engagement in the corporate landscape. 

“Improving diversity and inclusion in the workplace should not just be a pro-forma sustainability effort—it is key in securing Meralco’s future. Empowering women and advocating gender balance deepens the talent pool in our country, while also expanding the menu of possible careers for young women,” Mr. Pangilinan said. 

Beyond providing stable and dependable electricity service, Meralco actively champions women’s empowerment through its gender diversity and inclusion program called #Mbrace. As part of this program, Meralco has significantly increased the representation of women in its workforce, reaching 22%, well above the global energy sector’s average of 13%. 

Meralco has been at the forefront of advancing women’s empowerment for over a decade. In 2013, the energy company pioneered the training and hiring of female linecrew in Southeast Asia. Presently, Meralco boasts a roster of 20 female linecrew, with an additional seven currently undergoing training. 

In 2022, Meralco extended its support to 18 female college students from various universities through scholarship grants designed to help them pursue their dreams of becoming professional electrical engineers. This initiative, named “MpowHER,” covers allowances for food, transportation, book expenses, and internet connectivity for select junior Electrical Engineering students as they prepare for their final-year board examination. Furthermore, they are provided the opportunity to undertake internships at Meralco and explore career prospects with the company upon graduation. 

In recognition of its groundbreaking programs and initiatives, Meralco has become the first and only electric utility in the Philippines to be included in the Bloomberg Gender Equality Index, the world’s sole environmental, social, and governance (ESG) assessment concentrating on gender equality in the workplace. 

Meralco’s distinction stems from its exceptional performance in areas such as anti-sexual harassment policies, gender pay equity, and the cultivation of an inclusive corporate culture. 

At the recently concluded 2023 International Business Awards, Meralco’s #Mbrace won a Bronze Stevie under the “Sustainability Initiative of the Year in Asia, Australia, and New Zealand” category in recognition of the program’s holistic approach from policy development to communication rollout.