One Meralco Foundation’s Household Electrification Program Brightens Low-Income Homes in Majayjay, Laguna

One Meralco Foundation (OMF), the corporate social responsibility arm of Manila Electric Company (Meralco), has energized 86 low-income households in Majayjay, Laguna, providing families with their own electricity service connections and freeing them from submetering dependence on neighbors.

Through its Household Electrification Program, OMF, in collaboration with Meralco Sta. Cruz Business Center and the Municipality of Majayjay, provided financial support and technical assistance to residents of Barangays Pangil, Panglan, and Gagalot, ensuring easier access to electricity for underserved families.

Among the beneficiaries is Marissa Espares, a resident of Barangay Pangil, who had no direct access to electricity for months. Her family relied on submetering from a neighbor, but when the neighbor’s connection was cut, they were forced to live in darkness for seven months. Through OMF’s assistance, their home was finally energized, bringing relief and joy to her family. Her five school-age children can now study better at night, improving their education.

For Shiela May Exconde, also from Barangay Pangil, electricity was a costly burden. Her family paid P1,500 monthly to a neighbor for shared electricity, even while limiting their usage to a single lightbulb, an electric fan, and occasional TV access. Now, with her own Meralco connection, Exconde’s electricity bill has been cut in half, giving her family financial relief and more control over their energy use.

Beyond basic household needs, families like Espares and Exconde envision a brighter future. With the money saved, they plan to purchase a refrigerator, allowing them to preserve food and start small businesses. Espares hopes to sell ice candy and halo-halo to neighbors during summer, demonstrating how electrification drives economic opportunities

Majayjay Mayor Romeo P. Amorado emphasized that direct electricity access is not just a matter of convenience, but also a safety measure. Many households that rely on illegal connections or overloaded wiring face a higher risk of fire hazards. Providing residents with official connections from Meralco helps reduce these risks and supports the local government’s initiatives for safer communities.

“Energizing homes empower not just the individual households who benefit from it directly, but also their community. When individual households grow and improve, they can become better contributors in society that improves their community—and ultimately, the country—as a whole,” One Meralco Foundation President Jeffrey Tarayao, meanwhile said, underscoring the broader impact of electrification.

Since its launch in 2011, OMF’s Household Electrification Program has energized more than 79,000 households across the country. This initiative contributes to the national government’s goal of achieving 100% nationwide electrification by 2028.

How does access to electricity impact communities and economic opportunities? Should more initiatives focus on electrifying low-income households? Share your thoughts in the comments below and follow Power Philippines for updates on energy and social development projects!