Company: Manila Electric Company
Company Description: Meralco is the largest private sector electric distribution utility company in the Philippines covering 39 cities and 72 municipalities. Its franchise area of over 9,685 km2 is just 3% of the total land area of the Philippines, but accounts for 55% of the country’s electricity output.
Nomination Category: Sustainability Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Sustainability Hero of the Year - in Asia, Australia and New Zealand
 Nomination Title: Raymond Ravelo, Chief Sustainability Officer
- Which will you submit for your nomination in this category, a video of up to five (5) minutes in length about the achievements of the nominated organization since 1 January 2022, OR written answers to the questions for this category? (Choose one):
Written answers to the questions
- If you are submitting a video of up to five (5) minutes in length, provide the URL of the nominated video here, OR attach it to your entry via the "Add Attachments, Videos, or Links to This Entry" link above, through which you may also upload a copy of your video.
- If you are providing written answers for your submission, you must provide an answer to this first question: Briefly describe the nominated individual's organization: its history and past performance (up to 200 words):
Total 195 words used.
Now on its 121st year, Meralco is the Philippines’ largest electric distribution utility, and its franchise area is the seat of economic, political, and social activity in the country. It provides energy to 39 cities and 72 municipalities and serves nearly eight million customers, which collectively account for half of the country’s GDP.
Through its subsidiaries and affiliates, Meralco is also involved in power generation, after-the-meter services like energy efficiency, and beyond-energy services such as digital payments, engineering, construction, logistics, and telecommunications.
Meralco’s vision is to be a world-class energy solutions provider. Its mission is to provide customers the best-value energy solutions—reliably, affordably, superbly, and sustainably. Its corporate values are excellence, customer centricity, sustainability, integrity, innovation, malasakit (caring for others), and bayanihan (community spirit). Meralco is committed to ensuring that electricity continually flows from the grid to its customers—to light up homes and offices, power industries, and energize the economy.
Meralco has placed sustainability at the heart of its business by establishing its sustainability agenda—“Powering the Good Life”—which is deeply rooted in the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) and is marked by a distinctive focus on four pillars: Power, Planet, People, and Prosperity.
- If you are providing written answers for your submission, you must provide an answer to this second question: Outline the nominated individual's achievements since the beginning of 2022 that you wish to bring to the judges' attention (up to 250 words):
Total 250 words used.
Raymond Ravelo, appointed as Meralco's first-ever Chief Sustainability Officer in 2020, has been a driving force behind firmly establishing and deeply embedding sustainability in the company’s strategy and operations. Beginning 2021, Raymond has focused on elevating and evolving Meralco’s sustainability agenda, “Powering the Good Life”, achieving significant milestones since 2022.
Development and Launch of Long-term Sustainability Strategy (LTSS)
- LTSS outlines Meralco’s just, orderly, and affordable transition to clean energy, with the goal to become coal-free before 2050.
- Secured green Power Supply Agreements amounting to 1819MW, surpassing target of 1500MW of renewable energy supply.
- Built Meralco’s first-ever solar farms (198MW).
Successful Implementation of Breakthrough Sustainability Programs
- Green Mobility – Electrified 8% of Meralco’s vehicle fleet, surpassing government-mandated 5%
- Race to Zero Waste – Achieved all-time high waste diversion rate of 96%, from 17% in 2019.
- #Mbrace Diversity and Inclusion – Increased women representation in workforce to 23% (vs. 13% global energy sector average). Relaunched Linewomen Program, the first in Southeast Asia.
- Meralco Supplier Sustainability Scorecard – Integrated UN SDGs into vendor accreditation in 2022, with 96% of top suppliers meeting company sustainability standards in year 1.
- MIESCOR-SeoChang Partnership – Energized 200+ impoverished families by deploying innovative and clean power solution combining solar panels and batteries, while installing EV charging stations to support livelihood.
Robust Sustainability Governance and Reporting
- Established Board-level Sustainability Committee.
- Leads Sustainability Champions (24 executives).
- Integrated sustainability metrics, representing 10% of Meralco’s corporate KPIs.
- Led publication of all Meralco sustainability reports—each recognized with local and international awards, including Stevies.
- If you are providing written answers for your submission, you must provide an answer to this third question: Explain why the achievements you have highlighted are unique or significant. If possible compare the achievements to the performance of other players in your industry and/or to the nominated individual's past performance (up to 250 words):
Total 250 words used.
Raymond’s contributions have been pivotal to Meralco’s transformation from a laggard into a recognized leader in sustainability, resulting in all-time best ESG scores, recognitions, and index inclusions across-the-board.
ESG Ratings and Indices
- MSCI – ESG rating upgraded to all‐time best BBB in 2022, from baseline B rating in 2018.
- CDP – Climate Change and Water Security scores upgraded to C in 2022, from previous years’ F.
- FTSE Russell – Recognized as among the most socially and environmentally responsible companies worldwide. Meralco is only the second Philippine power company in the FTSE4Good Index Series, surpassing Philippine and global energy sector averages.
- Bloomberg Gender Equality Index (GEI) – Recognized as official member of Bloomberg GEI—the first Philippine utility to be so.
- World Benchmarking Alliance’s SDG2000 – Included among 2,000 most influential companies globally, cited as well-positioned to drive UN SDGs.
Awards
- 2023 International Business Awards – Recognized for “Sustainability Leadership” and “Sustainability Initiative of the Year”.
- 2024 Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards – Recognized in “Building Sustainable Supply Chains” and “Reuse and Recycle” categories.
Due to these accomplishments, Raymond was promoted to First Vice President in 2023—the youngest ever to hold such position in Meralco’s 121-year history. He has likewise earned recognition as a sustainability and thought leader from prestigious international organizations including Environmental Finance, International Business Awards, and Stevie Asia-Pacific Awards.
These achievements attest to Raymond’s effective leadership and earnest commitment towards a more sustainable future. He is a hero, particularly in the energy sector, the world's largest contributor to climate change.
- You have the option to answer this final question: Reference any attachments of supporting materials throughout this nomination and how they provide evidence of the claims you have made in this nomination (up to 250 words):
Total 24 words used.
Supporting Material: Table of Contents
- Sustainability Agenda (with AVP)
- Long-term Sustainability Strategy (with AVP)
- Sustainability Programs
- Sustainability Reports
- ESG Ratings
- Sustainability Awards and Recognitions
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