Company: Manila Electric Company (MERALCO), Manila, Philippines
Company Description: The Manila Electric Company is the largest private sector electric distribution utility company in the Philippines covering 36 cities and 75 municipalities. Its franchise area of over 9,685 km2 (which is 3% of the Philippines' land area) accounts for 55% of the country’s electricity output. Its social responsibility programs are implemented by its social development arm, One Meralco Foundation.
Nomination Category: Company / Organization Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Corporate Social Responsibility Program of the Year - in Asia, Australia and New Zealand
 Nomination Title: One Meralco Foundation’s School Electrification Program: Energizing the country’s off-grid public schools during the Covid-19 pandemic
- Which will you submit for your nomination in this category, a video of up to five (5) minutes in length about the achievements of the nominated organization since 1 January 2020, OR written answers to the questions for this category? (Choose one):
Written answers to the questions
- If you are submitting a video of up to five (5) minutes in length, provide the URL of the nominated video here, OR attach it to your entry via the "Add Attachments, Videos, or Links to This Entry" link above, through which you may also upload a copy of your video.
- If you are providing written answers for your submission, you must provide an answer to this first question: Briefly describe the nominated organization: its history and past performance (up to 200 words):
Total 149 words used.
One Meralco Foundation, the social development arm of the Manila Electric Company (MERALCO), has been implementing the school electrification program which energizes off-grid public schools in remote mountain and island communities through solar photovoltaic technology. This has been made possible through our partnership with the Department of Education and the local electric cooperatives. Since the program’s launch in 2011, the Foundation have energized 278 schools located in 38 provinces in the Philippines. From January 1, 2020 through May 31, 2022 the program continued to energize off-grid island and mountain schools in the Philippines by installing stand-alone solar photovoltaic (PV) systems to power the entire schools. While this is a continuing program, the limitations brought about by the pandemic posed more challenges and required a unique approach in reaching these schools. Please note that the Philippines implemented one of the strictest and longest lockowns in the world during the pandemic.
- If you are providing written answers for your submission, you must provide an answer to this second question: Outline the organization's achievements since the beginning of 2020 that you wish to bring to the judges' attention (up to 250 words):
Total 204 words used.
The program improved learning conditions for teachers and students in the 33 off-grid schools energized from January 1, 2020 to May 31, 2022. Through this initiative a total of 8,222 students now experience enhanced learning opportunities while a total of 330 teachers are able to improve their teaching delivery using technology aided learning tools. With the blended learning (printed modules and online) approach during the pandemic, continuous learning was made possible for students despite the limitations. Further, these experiences used to happen only in schools from progressive towns where power and telco infrastructures are present, now it can be enjoyed by those from remote communities. Based on the impact assessment done, students are able to spend more time for learning and concepts are now easier to grasp because visuals are available through powerpoint and video presentations when they use their computers and TVs. Teachers who used to walk through mountains for hours and cross the sea to access electricity-powered computers, printers, scanners and internet from the mainland can now use these precious hours to maximize their productivity and give more time for family or self-development. These results inspire OMF to continue this mission so that more young Filipinos can benefit from the program.
- If you are providing written answers for your submission, you must provide an answer to this third question: Explain why the achievements you have highlighted are unique or significant. If possible compare the achievements to the performance of other players in your industry and/or to the organization's past performance (up to 250 words):
Total 242 words used.
The lack of electricity access is common among many small island and mountain communities in the Philippines. Due to the country’s archipelagic nature and varied topography, connecting to the grid these remote communities can be challenging in a variety of dimensions (e.g. resource-wise, people and community preparation, technical and budget). Solutions may include building a standalone generation-transmission-distribution system on the village itself but will require a significant investment on the part of government and the local electric distribution utility, and might take years to implement given that homes are few and far between. In schools without electricity to power learning tools, such as computers and the internet, teachers find it difficult to facilitate 21st Century learning in off-grid schools. This may result in putting the school children here at a disadvantage given that a number of skills to be developed include information technology competencies that will be required in employment even when pursuing technical-vocational careers or entrepreneurship. To address these challenges, One Meralco Foundation has been implementing the School Electrification Program using independent solar power systems since 2011. At the height of the pandemic, this became more essential as the teaching delivery implemented by the Philippine Department of Education was in two ways: (1) the printing of learning modules to be distributed (2) and facilitated online learning. Both of which require electricity to implement. And this has become more challenging for schools located in the country’s remote island and mountain communities.
- You have the option to answer this final question: Reference any attachments of supporting materials throughout this nomination and how they provide evidence of the claims you have made in this nomination (up to 250 words):
Total 181 words used.
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