ESPRESSO MORNINGS

By Joe Zaldarriaga

Mr. Joe Zaldarriaga, fondly called “Manong Joe”, is a distinguished figure in the country’s corporate communications landscape. Holding the position of Vice President and Head of Corporate Communications at Manila Electric Company (Meralco), he has orchestrated unparalleled success for the utility company, winning accolades for their brand of service communications.
He was the architect behind Meralco’s most celebrated milestones in the field of communications— steering the company to five-time Company of the Year honors at the Philippine Quill Awards and leading the only PR team ever named Team of the Year in the history of the Anvil Awards.
Manong Joe’s leadership also extends as a respected member of the Board of Trustees for the Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP), concurrent with his role as Chairman of the International Association of Business Communicators Philippines (IABC Philippines) where he also served as its President.
Manong Joe is a distinguished awardee of the medallion of honor and scroll of commendation from the University of Manila, owing to his years in public service as a communications professional. He shares his insights through columns in renowned publications, including The Philippine Star’s The Z Factor, and Philippine News Agency’s ESPRESSO MORNINGS.

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has once again cast a long shadow of uncertainty over global energy markets, and the Philippines is not insulated from its impact. Just last week, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ordered government offices to implement energy conservation measures and called on the Filipino people to do the same.

In response, government agencies have adopted a four-day workweek, with the private sector urged to consider the same, given that demand management is one of the fastest and most cost-effective ways to safeguard stability in times of global volatility.

Immediately, a day after President Marcos Jr. made the call for energy conservation, Meralco chairman and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan or MVP, announced that the distribution utility is conducting a review of its fuel position to assess the impact of the Middle East conflict.

“We want to ensure adequate supply of power and manage price volatility as responsibly as possible. Have made it clear to the team that we must help protect consumers as cost of goods rises globally,” MVP said in a social media post.

Meralco also echoed the government’s call of energy efficiency to its customers, noting that the ongoing Middle East conflict coincides with the approaching dry season, when power demand historically is at its peak.

This timely response is a clear reflection of Meralco’s enduring role as a partner in any situation, whether blue skies or in a crisis situation.

This month, Meralco marks its 123rd anniversary with a renewed sense of commitment and service, not only to its customers but to the community and country.

For more than a century, Meralco has been a reliable partner of the nation in pursuing progress and development—powering homes, industries, and communities through crises and recoveries. Today, in the face of global uncertainty, its commitment is clearer than ever: to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the government and the people in ensuring energy security and promoting efficiency.

By amplifying the government’s call for energy efficiency, Meralco underscores that every household, every business, and every institution has a role to play in safeguarding the grid and stabilizing supply.

In these uncertain times, we all play a role to promote stability by practicing energy efficiency.

At its core, energy efficiency is a form of bayanihan. It is about sharing the responsibility of safeguarding our energy future. Energy efficiency and conservation are not merely technical; it is moral. In times of scarcity, the discipline to conserve reflects solidarity.

By embracing simple energy efficient practices, households can play an active role in managing demand while reaping economic benefits through greater control over their electricity bills.

Among these practices are unplugging appliances when not in use, utilizing natural light whenever possible, refraining from overfilling refrigerators, ironing clothes in bulk, regular cleaning of air conditioner filters and electric fan blades, and optimized temperature settings for air conditioners. Meralco PowerLab studies have shown that setting your air conditioner to 25°C is generally more energy-efficient than lower temperatures while also balancing comfort.

Today, as the world grapples with another threat of uncertainty, we are reminded again that each one of us plays a critical role in promoting energy security.

Meralco’s journey has been intertwined with the Filipino people’s own struggles and triumphs. It has powered classrooms, hospitals, factories, and homes through wars, crises, and recoveries. Today, as the world grapples with the impact of global uncertainties, Meralco reaffirms its commitment to service—by ensuring reliable supply, transparent communication, and proactive support to the government’s call for energy-saving measures.

This is the kind of malasakit and service that has powered Meralco for over a century. As Meralco turns 123, the commitment to service and responsibility is stronger than ever.