Power utility giant Manila Electric Company (Meralco) has cemented a partnership with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) so they can work together on fast-tracking the electricity service connections of business locators in economic zones.

According to Meralco, the tie-up is crucial in providing the most needed backbone to businesses as they bounce back from the economic torment of the pandemic; and to help the government create more jobs for the Filipinos.

The deal between Meralco and PEZA, inked on Nov. 24 this year, involves broadening the implementation of the electronic certificates of final electrical inspection (eCFEI) that will then aid ecozone locators in securing power service connections.

“It will now be more convenient for electric service applicants to secure a CFEI, which is a requirement that certifies electrical wirings were inspected and found to be compliant with the provisions of the Philippine Electrical Code and other applicable government rules and regulations,” the power firm explained.

Under the partnership, PEZA will directly issue the applicants’ eCFEIs to Meralco, which in turn will notify them of receipt of certificates so that the business customers can move forward with their applications.

The three-month pilot implementation of this program kicked off December 1 at the Cavite Economic Zone and the electricity will be supplied by Meralco Ecozone Power.

For the full implementation phase of the partnership, Meralco noted that this will start on March 1, 2022 and will cover “all PEZA-accredited businesses located within the Meralco franchise area.”

In the power firm’s view, this initiative is very timely and significant especially in the “ease of doing business goal” of the government, which in turn is also serving as anchor to PEZA’s more upbeat push when it comes to enticing capital flow for ecozone investments.

“PEZA is now embarking on a very aggressive and dynamic programs spelled out by our Transformation Roadmap where we have to address and enhance the ease of doing business in the Philippines and enhance the efficiency factors needed by our present and future investors,” PEZA Director General Charito B. Plaza said.

Meralco indicated that it first introduced eCFEI early this year – and it was initially done in partnership with local government units (LGUs) and has been catering to residential consumers who are applying for electricity service connections.

Ferdinand O. Geluz, first vice president and chief commercial officer of Meralco, emphasized that “the implementation of the eCFEI project is a testimony to both PEZA’s and Meralco’s commitment to our customers and to our nation, to ensure that we continue to deliver excellently to our customers.”

He expounded that “as an end-to-end energy solutions partner, we want to continue creating value and innovating – to enable our customers to operate or expand their businesses as quickly as possible by making the process of electrification truly digital.”