Forty-seven low-income households in Isla Pugad, an isolated fishing community in Hagonoy, Bulacan, have gained direct access to electricity through the One Meralco Foundation (OMF), marking another expansion of household electrification within the Meralco franchise area.

The initiative, implemented under OMF’s Household Electrification Program (HEP), was carried out in partnership with Meralco’s Malolos Business Center and Plaridel Sector Office, along with the local government. The program provided both technical and financial support so families could secure their own Meralco service accounts—an upgrade from years of relying on costly and informal submetering arrangements.

Residents in Isla Pugad, reachable only by a 30-minute boat ride from Paombong port, have long depended on fishing, boat operations, and market work. For decades, many households were unable to afford proper service entrance installation.

Among the beneficiaries are elderly fisherfolk Felino and Blesilda Fajardo, who previously tapped electricity from a neighbor because of logistical and financial barriers. With many families sharing a single source, costs became difficult to manage. Felino said their bill reached around PHP 300 monthly despite minimal use of an electric fan and nighttime lighting.

Upon Meralco’s community visit, the couple enrolled in the HEP, gaining their own meter and control over their consumption. The Fajardos say they now enjoy lower expenses and plan to add more appliances as their savings grow.

Barangay Captain Jimmy Gregorio credited the electrification effort as a crucial step toward achieving full household metering in the barangay, noting that partners also helped clear dangling wires and support safety improvements.

OMF President Jeffrey O. Tarayao emphasized the broader impact of the program, saying: “Our work in Barangay Pugad reminds us that reliable power should be available to everyone, regardless of distance or accessibility. By conquering the logistical, financial, and geographical barriers to serve this fishing community, we enabled productivity and opportunities for these families to have a better life. Our mission continues to make sure no one is left in the dark.”

Since launching the HEP in 2011, OMF has energized more than 85,000 low-income households across the Meralco franchise area, helping families improve productivity, generate more income, and participate more fully in local economic activity.

What does expanded household electrification in remote communities mean for long-term inclusive energy access in the Philippines, and what gaps should be addressed next?

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