HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRIPEVINE: OUR NEW ABNORMAL
In late November, we mounted our first Manila Bulletin Sustainability Forum, and the over-arching idea was to bring home to the public, and to the business community, how there already exists a multitude of touch points for sustainability and ESG (Environment, Social and Governance) agendas in our lives. As championed by corporations spread across several sectors, the hope was that the populace would be more appreciative of the efforts of these companies; and even if only on a soft impact basis, inject principles and practices of sustainability into their own lives.
As one would expect, the corporations represented in the forum are just the tip of the iceberg, and several others have taken up the cause, weaving sustainability into their operations and way of business, in their own manner. Meralco has come to the plate in a big way, and it’s good to recognize how it’s done so under a solid ESG “umbrella.”
When we speak of an environment agenda, one important aspect of this is disaster-preparedness and resilience. Given the essential service that Meralco provides as the largest private sector electric distribution utility company, it’s noteworthy that they’re constantly finding ways to improve reliability of service in this arena. During Typhoon Paeng in October, Meralco recorded 440 incidents of circuit trappings, impacting over four million customers who experienced momentary to sustained outages.
Remarkably, despite Typhoon Paeng’s massive damages in electrical facilities and the number of affected customers, it took Meralco only four days to restore all areas back to normal. The company attributes this to the investment in distribution utility facilities, strengthening its distribution backbone, and modernizing its system control center. Improved communication and reporting protocols, with crews working faster and safer, even when the storm was at its strongest, was also contributory to this improvement in response.
Network crews, anticipating worst case scenarios, were already assigned and deployed in strategic locations. This strategic approach allowed Meralco to restore power in record time; testament to how seriously it takes disaster-preparedness, and testament to the sacrifice and resilience of their dedicated linemen. Their tireless work ethic in the face of personal danger is something to admire.
On the social agenda side of sustainability, Meralco continues to push diversity and inclusivity through its #MBRACE program, which champions equal opportunities. The training and hiring of women technicians under the Women Technician Scholarship program, and female line crew under the Meralco Line Crew Training Program (MLTP), are two initiatives that Meralco is especially proud of. In its most recent graduating class, there were 13 women line crew, the largest number of such hires since the program started.
Strategic industry partnerships forged in 2022 are part of Meralco’s mission vision of expanding offerings and providing excellent service. One such partnership is MIESCOR Infrastructure Development Corporation (MIDC), a joint venture between Meralco subsidiary MIESCOR, and leading global infrastructure investor Stonepeak. MIDC announced it will acquire 2,180 towers and related passive telecom infrastructure from Globe, under a sale and leaseback agreement valued at P26.2 billion. This landmark partnership with Globe is a critical milestone for MIESCOR’s strategy to enter the digital infrastructure space – which plays a vital role in pushing forward economic growth, and digital inclusion.
A second partnership involves Spectrum, a solar power company owned by Meralco. Among others, Spectrum partnered with Maynilad Water Services Inc., the PLDT Group, and Ajinomoto Philippines Corporation Group, to help advance their respective sustainability goals. In the case of Ajinomoto, Spectrum was tapped for its pilot solar energy project at its manufacturing plant in Guiguinto, Bulacan. For PLDT, Spectrum has installed solar PV systems in PLDT offices in Iloilo, Bacolod, Cebu City, Mandaue City, and Roxas City.
With Robinsons Land Corporation (RLC), their partnership with Meralco is about transitioning the use of clean and sustainable energy. eSakay and Spectrum are the strategic subsidiaries of Meralco that will lead this interface with RLC. It’s all part of forging long term projects and innovations that protect the environment, and amplify sustainability efforts.
Let’s salute these companies who have made sustainability part of their current DNA. If in the past, sustainability initiatives were often couched under a company’s CSR, it’s good to note how that has evolved to the point where these initiatives now form part of the backbone of their everyday operations, and vision for their future – because it’s our future as well! Happy 2023!
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