BETTER ACCESS TO HEALTH SERVICES. The One Meralco Foundation (OMF) energized the health center of Barangay Laiban in Tanay, Rizal which caters to over 3,000 individuals. The electrification of rural health centers is among the initiatives of OMF under its community electrification program which also covers low-income households, off grid public schools, water access projects, and agricultural and livelihood programs. Seen in the photo are (from L-R) Meralco Head of HMB-Central Business Area Villardo D. Asuncion, Meralco Chief Corporate Social Responsibility Officer and OMF President Jeffrey O. Tarayao, Tanay Mayor Rafael "Lito" A. Tanjuatco, Tanay Municipal Health Officer Dr. Amor Dulce Rivera, Meralco Senior Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer Ferdinand O. Geluz, Rizal Vice Governor Reynaldo H. San Juan, Jr., Tanay Vice Mayor Rex Manuel Tanjuatco, Meralco Vice President and Head of Commercial Operations Charina P. Padua.
Residents of a mountain community in Rizal have started benefitting from better medical services after the Manila Electric Company (Meralco), through its corporate social development arm, One Meralco Foundation (OMF), energized a health center in the municipality of Tanay.
The project involves a 3-kilowatt peak (kWp) solar photovoltaic (PV) system for the Barangay Laiban health center, which caters to the basic medical needs of over 3,000 residents of the community, including members of the Dumagat Tribe.
The new solar facility powers crucial medical equipment for improved delivery of health services in the community. Health care workers can now use nebulizers for those with respiratory ailments, and fetal dopplers for prenatal care.
In addition, the health center is now sufficiently lit and ventilated for a more conducive environment for both medical workers and patients.
Installed by Meralco’s solar power subsidiary Spectrum, the solar PV system donation to the barangay was made possible through a fundraising led by Meralco employees from Customer Retail Services Group.
Alongside the energization, Meralco also conducted a medical mission for the residents of Barangay Laiban with the help of volunteer doctors from the Department of Health, Tanay Municipal Health Office, and Marikina Valley Medical Center. The medical mission was sponsored by the Meralco Employees Fund for Charity Inc., Pascual Laboratories Inc., Lloyd Laboratories Inc., and Megasoft Hygienic Products, Inc.
Meralco employees donated medicines and medical equipment such as nebulizers, fetal dopplers, and blood pressure monitors. In addition, OMF donated 100 school kits for students of the Laiban Integrated School in the community.
“This initiative led by our own Meralco employees signifies our commitment to empower not just our customers but also residents in remote communities. With the help of our government and private sector partners, Meralco aims to energize and support more communities and continue powering the good life for every Filipino,” Meralco Senior Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer Ferdinand O. Geluz said.
Tanay Mayor Rafael “Lito” A. Tanjuatco welcomed the assistance provided by Meralco, saying: “Rest assured that the municipality of Tanay together with our rural health unit and medical workers will work together to ensure that your good donation will be used for the benefit of the community since we all believe that light is life.”
Residents of Barangay Laiban in Tanay, Rizal avail of the free medical services during the medical mission sponsored by Meralco Employees Fund for Charity Inc., Pascual Laboratories Inc, Lloyd Laboratories Inc., and Megasoft Hygienic Products, Inc.
The energization of rural health centers is among the initiatives of OMF under its community electrification program which also covers off-grid public schools, low-income households in the Meralco franchise area, water access, and agricultural and livelihood programs.
“One Meralco Foundation will continue to take steps to make electricity access available to more underserved communities and help make basic services such as healthcare closer to as many as possible,” OMF President Jeffrey O. Tarayao said.
As the social development arm and corporate foundation of Meralco, OMF is committed to spreading the light to underserved communities across the country through sustainable social responsibility programs that have lasting impact.