Manuel V. Pangilinan: Energizing Partnerships

In a market that often rewards zero‑sum thinking, Manuel V. Pangilinan has leaned into a different playbook.

Meralco Chairman and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan (center) with leaders from Vietnam’s V-Green and Green GSM after signing a memorandum of understanding to develop a nationwide electric vehicle charging network. (Photos: Meralco)

As chairman and CEO of Manila Electric Company (Meralco), he has encouraged the country’s largest distribution utility to treat collaboration as a strategy, not a slogan.

The result is a widening set of alliances that supports industry, speeds up the energy transition, and aligns corporate goals with our national priorities.

Green mobility

Just today, Meralco signed a memorandum of understanding with V‑Green Global Charging Station Development Corporation and Green and Smart Mobility (Green GSM) to help accelerate the shift to electric vehicles across Metro Manila and other key cities.

The partnership will evaluate sites for charging stations and electric taxi hubs, coordinate on rollout plans, and exchange technical know‑how on EV systems and design.

“This partnership with Meralco marks a key milestone in V‑Green’s mission to accelerate the green mobility revolution in Southeast Asia,” said Nguyen Thanh Duong, CEO of V‑Green.

“By combining our expertise in EV charging infrastructure with Meralco’s strong local presence, we aim to rapidly deploy a reliable and accessible charging network across the Philippines.”

Green GSM Philippines is preparing to scale its service through the tie‑up.

“The Philippines is a vibrant and fast-growing market where we see strong momentum for clean mobility solutions,” said Dao Quy Phi, CEO of Green GSM Philippines.

“Through this collaboration with Meralco and V‑Green, Green GSM is excited to expand our 100% electric ride hailing service to more cities nationwide. Our goal is not only to provide safe, convenient, and affordable transportation, but also to play an active role in building a greener future for Filipino communities.”

Green GSM is the first all-electric taxi service in the Philippines.

The promise is significant. A reliable charging backbone lowers adoption barriers for drivers and fleets. It also gives manufacturers and mobility operators clearer signals to invest.

Execution will still require careful site selection, grid readiness, and sustained customer education, but the direction is clear.

Industrial resilience

Collaboration has also extended beyond mobility. Meralco recently hosted the Philippine Iron & Steel Institute (PISI) for a strategy discussion on how the steel sector can respond to shifting economic and geopolitical conditions.

The agenda focused on identifying partnership and investment opportunities that could strengthen competitiveness and resilience.

Manuel V. Pangilinan (2nd from left) with Philippine Iron & Steel Institute (PISI) President Jojo Magsajo and Meralco executives during a strategy meeting on strengthening the local steel sector.

For a power distributor, convening an industry group like PISI underscores a broader thesis: when critical sectors are healthy, the grid and the wider economy benefit.

From grid upgrades to customer gains

Partnerships work best when the basics are strong. Meralco continues to invest in network capacity and reliability, including the newly energized ASEANA 115 kV–34.5 kV GIS Substation in Parañaque City.

The facility adds an 83‑MVA power transformer, indoor switchgears, a capacitor bank, and control systems designed for smarter operations. The substation is expected to reduce system losses and ease loading on nearby transformer banks, while improving switching flexibility during contingencies.

For businesses in and around ASEANA City, the upgrade supports growth with steadier supply and better operational headroom.

Retail power with sustainability upside

The collaborative posture is visible on the retail side as well. Vantage Energy, Meralco’s affiliate retail electricity supplier, signed a Retail Electricity Supply Agreement to power 35 properties across the Gokongwei Group, including Robinsons Land, Robinsons Supermarket, and Universal Robina Corporation.

Vantage Energy, Meralco’s affiliate retail electricity supplier, signed a Retail Electricity Supply Agreement to power 35 properties across the Gokongwei Group nationwide.

Part of the supply will come from renewable sources, which helps the group advance its sustainability goals while maintaining reliable operations. Vantage Energy notes that its partnerships also include community‑oriented initiatives beyond contract terms, reinforcing the social dimension of commercial deals.

Global recognition

Meralco’s initiatives have drawn international notice. At the 2025 Asia‑Pacific Stevie® Awards in Seoul, the company received 11 awards for sustainability, thought leadership, and corporate social responsibility.

Two Gold Stevies recognized “MTerra Solar, A Global Breakthrough: The World’s Largest Integrated Solar and Battery Facility” for both sustainability and product design.

According to the submission, MTerra Solar is capable of supplying clean energy to roughly 2.4 million households and avoiding an estimated 4.3 million tons of carbon emissions each year.

A Global Breakthrough: MTerra Solar Project is well on its way to becoming the world's largest integrated solar and battery storage facility.

“This global recognition affirms our belief that doing what is right for our planet, people, and communities is also good for business,” said Raymond B. Ravelo, Meralco’s Chief Sustainability Officer, who was named Climate Hero of the Year.

Additional wins included a Silver for Race to Zero Waste, which reported a 95% diversion rate, and Bronzes for programs spanning diversity and inclusion, sustainability communications, and community empowerment.

Collaboration as a model

Meralco’s recent moves pair partnership with infrastructure, sustainability with service reliability, and corporate performance with measurable community outcomes.

There are still hurdles to clear: the capital intensity of grid upgrades, the pace of EV adoption, and the need for policy consistency.

Yet the direction set by Pangilinan and his team has offered a practical template that other Philippine companies can adapt to their own contexts.

Calling MVP the “King of Collab” is a catchy shorthand. What matters more is the operating model behind it: work with capable partners, share risk and expertise, and build assets that serve both customers and the country.

In a period when long‑term value depends on cooperation as much as competition, that approach looks less like branding and more like a durable advantage.