Manila Electric Company (Meralco) has expanded its PowerPlants Urban Farming Program to 20 operational urban farms across its headquarters, business centers, and sector offices, with seven more sites in the pipeline this year.

The urban farms cultivate vegetables such as pechay, mustasa, malunggay, and other leafy greens, with harvests used to support employee wellness and community distributions.

According to the company, nearly 200 employee volunteers have joined the program, which has benefited more than 700 individuals and communities through regular harvests and distributions.

PowerPlants was launched in 2024 as an internal sustainability initiative within Meralco’s own facilities.

Meralco Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Manuel V. Pangilinan said the company remains focused on delivering electricity to customers while also taking responsibility for environmental programs.

“We stay true to our word first to deliver power, to light up people’s homes, offices, malls, factories at the least cost to our customers. But on top of that, we have attached the responsibility of preserving our environment,” Pangilinan said.

The program has also expanded beyond Meralco facilities through partnerships with Quezon City local government units, particularly Barangays West Kamias and Talayan.

Meralco is also implementing a separate greening initiative at its Pasig headquarters.

As of end-2025, more than 6,000 trees and plants had been cultivated at the Meralco Operating Center, with targets of 9,000 by end-2026 and nearly 14,000 by 2027.

The company said its tree and plant selection follows global benchmarks and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) standards.

Meralco said species are selected based on functions such as carbon capture, pollinator support, or medicinal use, with the goal of contributing to cleaner air, biodiversity, and healthier spaces for employees and nearby communities.

Meralco Head of Home and Micro Business – North Business Area and Customer Retail Services (CRS) Sustainability Champion Alleni O. Pascual said the program extends sustainability efforts beyond the workplace.

“Meralco’s PowerPlants program, through urban farming and partnerships with LGUs and barangays, extends sustainability beyond the workplace—boosting employee wellbeing, fostering eco-conscious practices, and providing fresh produce that strengthens communities and neighborhood ties,” Pascual said.

Can corporate urban farming programs help companies turn sustainability commitments into measurable community initiatives?

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