One Meralco Foundation: Lighting Up Homes, Livelihoods... And Lives In Caloocan

A total of 98 low-income households in Camarin, Caloocan now have safe and reliable access to electricity, thanks to support from One Meralco Foundation (OMF), the social development arm of Manila Electric Company (Meralco), through its Household Electrification Program.

Brightening homes... lighting up lives. One Meralco Foundation (OMF) lights up 98 homes in Camarin, Caloocan through its Household Electrification Program. Leading the program are (L-R) OMF Program Manager Michael J. Del Rosario, Meralco Novaliches-Camarin Business Center headed by Ma. Corazon L. Pilapil, Meralco Home & MicroBiz North Business Area Head Margarita B. David, Caloocan City Mayor Dale "Along" R. Malapitan, Caloocan City 1st District Rep. Oscar "Oca" G. Malapitan, Caloocan City Vice Mayor Katrina Teh-Limsico, Caloocan City District 1 Councilor Vincent Ryan "Enteng" R. Malapitan, and Barangay 177 Chairwoman Donna De Gana Jarito. I Photo: One Meralco Foundation

The communities benefiting from OMF’s flagship program include North Triangle-Cielito Homes, Sunflower St. in Barangay 177, and D'First Labea Neighborhood Association Inc.

Two decades ago, some of these families were relocated to Caloocan to make way for developments in their former neighborhood in North Triangle, Quezon City.

Due to challenges with documentation and limited financial resources, the residents were unable to apply for legal electric service and often had to rely on sub-metering arrangements for power.

Through the collaboration of OMF, the Meralco Camarin Business Center, and the local government of Caloocan, the beneficiary communities now have individual service entrances that connect their homes directly to Meralco's electrical grid.

With access to reliable power for lighting and appliances, residents are grateful for the positive impact on their daily lives and productivity.

Beneficiaries Paulino and Rosita Entac, a married senior couple, used to pay around PHP 1,500 for basic electricity through sub-metering. With their own service line, their electricity costs are now lower, even with the addition of their ice candy business and printing services—two ventures that seemed impossible before having stable electricity.

“It’s been a significant help and a huge benefit, now that we can achieve bigger savings compared to using a sub-meter. We also feel much safer,” Mr. Entac shared.

Beyond increasing residents' productivity, Caloocan City Mayor Dale Gonzalo “Along” R. Malapitan highlighted that the project will help prevent fire hazards from unsafe wiring and electrical lines.

“Through this program, I hope our beneficiaries become more responsible in their use of electricity,” Malapitan said during the community launch.

Since 2011, the Household Electrification Program, with the support of Meralco business centers and other sectors, has powered more than 76,000 low-income homes in the Meralco franchise area, lighting communities and transforming lives.

“Empowering communities starts in every home. Through our Household Electrification Program, we address this essential need, enabling them to be more productive and improving their quality of life. As more opportunities open up, they can directly contribute to their community's progress and to the country,” said OMF President and Meralco Chief Corporate Social Responsibility Officer Jeffrey Tarayao.