Manila Electric Company (Meralco) has underscored the importance of trust, cybersecurity, governance, and data privacy as organizations confront increasingly complex digital risks.

The message was highlighted during the company’s inaugural Audit, Governance, Cybersecurity, and Compliance (AGCC) Summit 2026, which gathered business leaders, government agencies, and industry organizations to discuss strategies for strengthening digital resilience in an increasingly technology-driven environment.

Held under the theme “Next Generation Assurance: Driving Confident Decisions in a Digital Future,” the summit brought together more than 1,000 physical and online participants from One Meralco, JG Summit, MVP Group, and various professional associations.

The event focused on emerging threats such as cyberattacks, misinformation, technology-enabled fraud, and data privacy risks that organizations must address as digital systems become more deeply integrated into operations.

Representatives from the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA), National Privacy Commission (NPC), and cybersecurity experts shared insights on strengthening governance, compliance, and digital security.

NPC Deputy Commissioner Juan Paolo Fajardo emphasized the importance of trust in an increasingly digital economy.

“Trust is the most valuable currency in the digital age and unlike financial capital it cannot be borrowed, it cannot be manufactured, it cannot be recovered quickly once it is lost. The true measure of progress is whether systems are worth trust,” Fajardo said.

He noted that privacy controls have become important indicators of credibility and confidence, making data protection a critical component of organizational trust.

The summit also examined how cybersecurity threats are evolving alongside advances in technology. InfoTech Research Group Principal Advisory Director Robert Dang discussed strategies for defending organizations against AI-driven threats, which can use artificial intelligence to make cyberattacks faster and more sophisticated.

For Meralco, cybersecurity, governance, audit, and compliance functions are increasingly interconnected as organizations seek to balance innovation with accountability.

“The challenge before us is not just keeping pace with technology—it is making sure progress strengthens the way we work together. This summit is a pause from the daily firefight, a chance to sharpen our tools and align our perspectives,” said Meralco Senior Vice President and Chief Audit Executive Melanie T. Oteyza.

She added that bringing together internal teams and operational units helps organizations improve coordination and strengthen decision-making.

According to Meralco, the AGCC Summit forms part of its broader efforts to promote stronger internal controls, governance practices, cybersecurity resilience, and data privacy safeguards.

The company said these measures are becoming increasingly important as organizations undergo digital transformation and rely more heavily on data-driven operations.

As utilities and businesses continue to digitize their operations, how can organizations strengthen trust and cybersecurity while keeping pace with rapidly evolving technologies?

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