ESPRESSO MORNINGS
By Joe Zaldarriaga
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.
Over the past few days, I have seen how social media has made it easy to distort, exaggerate, and spread malicious information faster than facts—stirring anger instead of promoting clarity.
Renewable energy, especially solar panels, has become part of that noise. Posts that have exaggerated and distorted Meralco’s call for standardized regulations about solar panels have painted the utility as an obstacle to progress, fueling misplaced outrage. The reality is far simpler: informing Meralco or the distribution utility serving your area about your renewable energy or solar PV installation is not about control, but about safety.
Meralco has been clear on this point. As I have emphasized publicly, “Meralco recognizes the growing interest in renewable energy and solar installations, and we fully understand why many customers see these as an alternative to lower electricity costs and contribute to a cleaner energy future. We want to be clear: Meralco is not against the adoption of renewable energy or the use of solar equipment.”
What is being asked of consumers is cooperation for their safety and for the people who work on power lines— line crew, engineers, and field personnel. And this concern is not limited to Meralco alone. It extends to all distribution utilities and electric cooperatives in the country.
When a solar PV system is installed without the utility’s knowledge, risks multiply. Electricity generated by rooftop panels can flow back into the grid unexpectedly, a phenomenon known as backfeeding. Line crews repairing outages may assume wires are de-energized, only to be exposed to live current. The consequences can be fatal. Beyond that, uncoordinated installations can cause voltage fluctuations, damage equipment, or trigger localized blackouts. These are not abstract scenarios but documented hazards in countries where renewable adoption has surged without proper safeguards. And when the utility is unaware of a customer’s system, its ability to respond to emergencies or provide assistance is severely limited.
The narrative that utilities oppose solar adoption for financial reasons has been amplified by viral posts designed to provoke anger. But this claim does not hold up. Meralco has clarified repeatedly: “This is not a fiscal issue, nor an attempt to impose control, but a matter of public safety that may apply nationwide, even beyond the Meralco franchise area.”
Let me reiterate and emphasize: Neither Meralco nor any other distribution utility has regulatory authority over solar installations. We are also not against progress or innovation.
We are simply asking consumers to do it the right way with the help of clear, standardized guidelines from governing agencies to ensure installations are done correctly and safely. This way, communities and the people who work hard to ensure that electricity reaches our homes reliably are protected.
It is sad to see how such a well-meaning call is being drowned by misinformation. Rage bait posts thrive on painting utilities as villains, while ignoring the very real risks of improper installation.
In the age of algorithm-driven outrage, facts are drowned out by emotion. The solution is straightforward: education. Utilities, government agencies, and consumers must work together to cut through the noise.
As I have said, ultimately, this is about education, cooperation, and shared responsibility. We remain committed to engaging with our customers, easing fears, and working with government agencies to help ensure that the transition to renewable energy remains safe, informed, and beneficial for all.
Renewable energy adoption is accelerating, driven by both environmental urgency and economic necessity. But the success of this transition depends not only on technology, but on trust.
Consumers must understand that safety cannot be secondary to savings. Informing Meralco—or any utility—about your solar installation is a safeguard that ensures that your system is compatible, that line crews are protected, and that the grid remains stable for everyone.
The fight is not against solar panels, innovation, or even Meralco or any other distribution utility. The fight is against misinformation, negligence, and social media noise that drown out facts. Renewable energy is the future, but only if we build it responsibly, together.
