Meralco, PEZA ink deal to power new ecozones

Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) has expanded its push for sustainable industrial development by partnering with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) to fast-track the energization of greenfield ecozones.

Meralco said this move was seen to bolster the country’s bid to attract more investors by ensuring that emerging industrial zones are equipped with reliable and modern power infrastructure.

In a recently signed memorandum of understanding, the two agencies agreed to collaborate on the development and electrification of PEZA-owned greenfield sites, including the Pantao Ecozone in Albay and the Palawan Mega Ecozone in Puerto Princesa.

Meralco, led by chairman and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan, currently serves 244 of the 433 operating ecozones nationwide such as the Cavite Economic Zone and First Philippine Industrial Park in Batangas.

The new partnership aims to replicate that support in emerging areas that still require foundational infrastructure.

Under the agreement, PEZA will identify priority ecozones, facilitate site access and coordinate necessary permits, while Meralco will design and deploy energy solutions suited to the needs of these developing industrial corridors .

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“This partnership is a significant step toward building greenfield ecozones that will serve as engines of growth for our country,” Meralco executive vice president and chief operating officer Ronnie L. Aperocho said.

“These projects, developed from the ground up, demand modern and reliable infrastructure, with power distribution systems at their core,” he said.

Aperocho added that aligning Meralco’s technical expertise with PEZA’s investment-promotion mandate will help ensure that dependable electricity becomes the backbone of sustainable development in new industrial zones.