By: Carlo Abalos
Manuel V. Pangilinan-led Manila Electric Company (Meralco)—the largest and longest-running private electric distribution utility company in the Philippines—celebrates International Women’s Month this March with a renewed commitment to embrace gender diversity, inclusivity, and equality in the workplace.
Since 1903, Meralco has provided Filipinos with the best value in energy, products, and services. Through the decades, it has addressed the needs of the changing times, in particular, the broadening of participation in the workplace to include women among its ranks.
As a testament to its commitment to empower women, Meralco became a pioneer signatory of the United Nations’ Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) in 2020. Four years later, toward the end of 2024, Meralco achieved over 23% women representation, higher than the global energy sector average of 13%. It further aims to increase female representation in its workforce to 40% by 2030.
Operating in a historically male-dominated industry, Meralco pioneered the training and hiring of female line crew in Southeast Asia through the Meralco Linecrew Training Program (MLTP).
To date, Meralco has 25 female line crew—women professionals who install, maintain, and repair high-voltage power lines and other electrical systems—in its roster.
Strengthening diversity and inclusion with #MBrace
Under the MLTP, Meralco aims to develop a pool of skilled line workers—both male and female—to equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in the field of power distribution. This move is an important part of Meralco’s bigger Diversity and Inclusion Program called #MBrace, which aspires to promote a gender-balanced workplace.
Under #MBrace, Meralco improves women representation in its ranks and empowers women by providing them with avenues to reach and realize their fullest potential.
Further concretizing its mission to help empower women, Meralco initiated the “Yes You Can!” (YYC) program.
Led by female executives, the YYC is a coaching and mentoring initiative designed to empower women managers and supervisors. The program helps them gain confidence and self-awareness, unlocking their leadership potential to achieve their career goals.
Bright future
Among the shining examples of empowered women within Meralco’s ranks is Customer Care Representative Bien Zoleta, who has been with the company for 12 years, and Female Linecrew Mary Rose Calasin—who traded her office job for the opportunity to serve under the utility.
Beyond her professional responsibilities in Meralco, Zoleta exemplifies excellence in sports as well, becoming the first Filipino to win a Southeast Asian (SEA) Games gold medal for Soft Tennis. A four-time SEA Games gold medalist, Zoleta is also part of the duo hailed as the 2024 World Pickleball Champion.
“I am very passionate about sports. Because of Meralco, I am able to pursue my passion while thriving in a professional career in the corporate world. I am able to represent the country, at the same time, serve the people through Meralco’s service,” Zoleta said.
She added: “Sa Meralco, hindi ka lang empleyado. Napakasayang malaman na yung pinapasukan mong kumpanya ay sinusuportahan yung after-work mo lalo na kasi [At Meralco, you are not a mere employee. It is such a joy to know that the company you work for supports your after-work engagements, especially since] I represent the country.”
For 29-year-old Mary Rose Calasin, working in Meralco made her realize that women are equally as capable as men in line crew work.
“Nagugulat na lang sila na mayroon ng babaeng umaakyat ng poste at nagtratrabaho bilang line crew. Kaya natin gawin kung ano yung kayang gawin ng lalaki. [They get surprised when they see a woman climbing an electric post and doing line crew work. We can do whatever men can do].”
A breadwinner who cares for her 70-year-old father, Calasin joined Meralco in 2024 after completing the MLTP and is currently assigned at the distribution utility’s Pasig Sector.
Last year, following the onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine, Calasin helped restore power lines in Quezon City that were affected by the severe weather disturbance.
Zoleta and Calasin are only two of Meralco’s pool of talented, bright, and dedicated women who continue to break glass ceilings within and outside of the workplace.
Hindi tayo babae lang. Babae tayo at kaya natin gawin ang ginagawa din ng mga lalaki [We are not just women. We are women who can do the work that men can do],” Calasin said.
