Employees Collective Action Transforms Communities
Embodying Malaskit: Employees' Collective Action and Compassion Transform Communities Through Volunteerism and Giving
The work of a Meralco employee, in itself, is toward providing an essential service that makes Filipinos’ lives easier and more productive. But there are many Meralco employees who go above and beyond this, guided by bayanihan and malasakit, that bring impactful change to the lives of many Filipinos.
This dedication to act beyond their usual workplace and clocked hours are a testament to a shared commitment to building a better future together. One of the many ways Meralco employees show these two values is through giving. In 2024 alone, more than PhP4.8 million were donated by employees. As a demonstration of their strong spirit of service, many set aside personal funds to support programs like community electrification projects, Balik Eskwela, disaster relief operations in the aftermath of typhoons Carina and Kristine, and Meralco’s urban farming initiative, PowerPlants.
Meralco employees also donated time and energy to those same initiatives and more. In 2024, a total of 6,506 volunteer hours were rendered by employees in various activities ranging from tree-planting, community household electrification, distribution of computers, sports clinics, and clean-up drives in Intramuros and the Las Piñas-Parañaque Wetland Park. Employees also actively re-packed and distributed relief goods as part of various disaster response initiatives in the aftermaths of fires, typhoons, and flooding.
Some employees also imparted their technical knowledge and skills to contribute to the success of projects. Electrical Engineer Botany KC Anne Sevilleja-Briones, Executive Assistant of the Office of the Chief Revenue Officer, volunteered her time and flew to Barangay Guinsang-an, Sto. Niño, South Cotabato to help assess the possible electrification options for a low-income community frequently struggling with water interruptions and the costly electricity bills to power their barangay water system.
“I was able to witness firsthand how lack of, or interrupted access to water affects these far-flung communities to the point that some cannot bathe regularly or even have access to potable water. I personally saw how powerful electricity can be and how it improves lives, and how I, as an electrical engineer, had an opportunity to help them through my expertise. My heart is full knowing that I was able to help my fellow kababayan living on the other side of the country,” she expressed.
Through her efforts in providing technical advice as well as coordinating the project with the local electric cooperative South Cotabato I Electric Cooperative, Inc. (SOCOTECO I), the community is now benefiting from the solar-powered barangay water system with the potential for net metering, which will help residents save more money in the future.
“What inspired me to volunteer is the belief that every community deserves electricity and that electrical engineers have the ability to make it happen. Seeing communities light up, and how water access services give hope to the community, and knowing that our work helps build a more sustainable future—these are the rewards that no paycheck can match,” she affirmed with conviction.
She has then encouraged fellow engineers to step forward and volunteer their expertise to create a positive impact in the lives of the underprivileged. The Foundation also spearheaded education programs which met equal enthusiasm from employees. Among these were the annual Brigada Eskwela where for the year, 57 public schools received cleaning materials to prepare for the incoming school year. Meralco employees also provided technical advice to the schools’ building personnel to ensure schools’ electrical safety prior to opening a new school year. Balik Eskwela kits containing a customized backpack, school supplies, and reading materials were also distributed to 3,646 young learners across 64 public schools made possible by funds raised from Meralco employees, offices, and internal organizations, as well as MEFCI and National Book Store Foundation, Inc.
Since the Balik Eskwela program started in 2014, Meralco employee volunteer Yvonne Jazzey D. Melo actively participated every year. She is inspired by her grandmother, a public school teacher who then used to bring Yvonne to the store and buy school kits for her disadvantaged students. So when opportunities arose to volunteer, Yvonne heeded the call. In 2024, Yvonne, the Meralco Lucena Business Center Head, eagerly joined the Balik Eskwela activity at Caldong Resettlement Elementary School, one of the farthest schools in Sampaloc, Quezon. For her, time stops when she sees students’ smiles as they benefit from the initiative.
“Nakaka-proud bilang isang Meralco employee na maabot ang ganitong mga eskwelahan sa bansa at sana mas marami pang eskwelahan ang mabigyan sa mga susunod na taon (I feel so proud as a Meralco employee to reach schools such as this one and I hope that we can reach more schools in the coming years),” she recounted.
Among the many employee volunteers who also participated in Balik Eskwela is Meralco Pasig Business Center Relationship Manager Alvin Francis R. Flores, who partnered with OMF in selecting the public schools benefiting from the back-to-school initiative in Pasig City. As a Relationship Manager, Alvin has direct contact with communities who need help, including public schools whose students can benefit from the project. One beneficiary school was Santolan Elementary School, where students with special needs under the Special Education program received Balik Eskwela kits.
“Makikita mo ‘yung ngiti at kung gaano kasaya ‘yung mga bata na nakatanggap ng bags. Very happy din ang teachers na sila ‘yung naging recipient natin. Nagkaroon din sila ng kaalaman na may ganitong initiatives pala ang OMF at employees ng Meralco. Sobrang nakakatuwa at nakakataba ng puso ‘yung ganitong experience (You can see how happy these kids were when they received the bags. The teachers were also very happy that they were the chosen recipients. It was also an opportunity for them to know about these initiatives by OMF and Meralco employees. Experiences such as this one makes my heart feel happy and full),” Alvin happily shared.
Volunteering in activities that uplift others is an experience Meralco employees will treasure, said Alvin. “Masarap sa pakiramdam mag-volunteer, hindi lang para dun sa taong natulungan mo but the whole community ang na nae-empower nito (It feels good to volunteer, not only for those whom you’ve directly helped but the whole community that it empowers.)”
Aside from this, OMF, MPower, and Vantage Energy also initiated back-to-school donation drives in schools in Zambales, Cebu, Cavite, Metro Manila, and Laguna. MThermal GBP, meanwhile, partnered with OMF in its initiatives Brigada Eskwela, Adopt-a-Health Center, and Christmas outreach in Iloilo, Aklan, and Cebu. Through dedicated volunteerism and resources including time and talent sharing, Meralco employees demonstrate compassion, bringing a renewed sense of purpose, situating one’s career in the bigger picture. With the heart to serve, community solidarity is possible, one volunteer at a time.