Meralco backs Green EDSA Movement

BY LENIE LECTURA – DECEMBER 27, 2021
from Business Mirror

The Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) has joined the Green EDSA Movement (GEM) in transforming EDSA into a green and people-friendly thoroughfare.

GEM is an initiative led by private sector leaders and environment advocates. It gathers organizations from various sectors to declare their solidarity in making EDSA a safer place, where people mobility is prioritized over vehicle mobility, public transportation is fueled by clean energy, and greenways are developed.

In support of GEM, Meralco is currently converting its company-managed streetlights along EDSA to LEDs, for energy conservation and efficiency.

Further, as part of Meralco’s heightening efforts to drive to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support and promote the country’s transition to electric vehicles, it is electrifying its vehicle fleet across its sector offices and business centers, including those situated in EDSA.

Through its subsidiary, eSakay, Inc., Meralco also provides green transport options for its institutional customers and for the riding public.

Meralco’s corporate social responsibility arm, One MERALCO Foundation, is likewise prepared to partner with GEM in making EDSA a tree-lined greenway, through its One for Trees program which aims to sustainably plant and nurture trees in Philippine forests and critical watersheds. To date, Meralco has planted more than one million trees in sites in Bulacan, Cebu, and Panay, with a target of five million trees by 2025.

“We are deeply committed to our civic duty to protect the environment, which enables us to lead lives in continuing socio-economic prosperity, ecological balance, and general well-being,” said GEM Chairman Eduardo H. Yap.

“We aim to transform EDSA through robust advocacy for public-private partnership in carrying out green improvement projects,” he added.

The partnership and collaboration between the public and private sectors on the Green EDSA Movement will be vital in the restoration of EDSA into a safe and cleaner place for all.

“I am convinced that the Green EDSA Movement is an excellent initiative and distinctive opportunity for us to work with like-minded individuals and organizations as we further Meralco’s sustainability agenda, which is anchored on promoting the well-being of communities, creating better lives for our stakeholders, and powering the good life for all,” said Meralco President Ray C. Espinosa.

Meralco’s sustainability agenda is anchored on four pillars—Power, Planet, People, Prosperity—and supports the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.