The One Meralco Foundation has provided safe and legal electricity connections to 168 additional low-income households in Pasig City, expanding access to power under its Household Electrification Program ahead of the Christmas season.

The energization was carried out in coordination with the Pasig City local government and officials of Manila Electric Company (Meralco), with the foundation saying the initiative aims to reduce safety risks linked to illegal power connections.

Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto said the program helps address dangers posed by unsafe wiring practices such as jumpers and informal submetering.

“Hindi lang ito tungkol sa kuryente, kundi tungkol sa kaligtasan ng bawat pamilya. Kapag may jumper o submeter na hindi pasado sa standards, delikado po iyan—sunog, aksidente, at iba pang panganib,” Sotto said.

Meralco Chief Revenue Officer and One Meralco Foundation trustee Ferdinand O. Geluz added that partnerships with local governments play a critical role in expanding safe access to electricity.

“Mas nagiging epektibo ang ganitong mga programa kapag may malakas na ugnayan ang Meralco, ang One Meralco Foundation, at ang local government units,” Geluz stated.

One Meralco Foundation President Jeffrey O. Tarayao also said that the Pasig electrification activity reflects collective bayanihan and shared responsibility among stakeholders.

“Ang pagkakaroon ng ligtas at legal na kuryente ay nagbibigay ng mas maraming oportunidad sa mga pamilya—para maging mas produktibo at mas aktibong bahagi ng kanilang komunidad,” Tarayao concluded.

Through its Household Electrification Program, the foundation said it has already energized more than 80,000 households nationwide, which also supports the government’s goal of achieving 100% household electrification by 2028.

As similar electrification efforts expand in urban and low-income communities, how can partnerships between utilities, local governments, and foundations help address both safety risks and access gaps in electricity service?

Follow Power Philippines on Facebook and LinkedIn or join our Viber community for more updates.