The Meralco Power Academy (MPA) is expanding its education and youth development programs in the Visayas and Mindanao regions, as part of efforts to help build a stronger workforce for the Philippine energy sector.

In October 2025, MPA formalized academic partnerships with University of San Carlos and Cebu Institute of Technology University. The collaborations are designed to provide engineering students with training, industry exposure, and research opportunities aligned with sustainability and energy sector needs.

MPA Executive Director Ian Chester V. Colorina said the goal is to better prepare students for real-world energy challenges by combining academic learning with industry experience.

“These partnerships aim to develop industry-ready and future-ready professionals who can contribute meaningfully to the energy sector,” Colorina said.

Beyond higher education, MPA is also investing in early talent development through the Young Engineers and Scientists Summit (YESS), which was held in Iloilo on October 8, 2025, and in Iligan City on November 7, 2025.

The Iloilo leg gathered 90 students and marked a milestone under MPA’s collaboration with Meralco PowerGen Corporation to establish a Center for Innovation in the Visayas. Meanwhile, the Iligan event drew nearly 1,000 students in partnership with Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology.

MPA said the expansion of these programs reflects its broader effort to strengthen the country’s energy workforce by linking academia, industry, and youth engagement, especially in regions outside Metro Manila.

As the energy sector evolves and demand for skilled workers grows, how can education and industry partnerships help ensure regional talent is ready to support the country’s future power needs?

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