Meralco champions strategic audit to power PH energy future

Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) highlighted the crucial role of internal audit in shaping operational transformation and innovation in the energy sector during the 2025 Heads of ASEAN Power Utilities/Authorities (HAPUA) Internal Audit Summit.

Why it matters

The country’s largest power distributor is reframing internal audit from a compliance tool into a strategic driver of resilience, foresight, and risk-intelligent decision-making—a shift seen as vital for balancing innovation with regulatory discipline.

At the 2025 HAPUA Internal Audit Summit: From left National Transmission Corp. internal audit department manager Dexter Comiso, National Grid Corporation of the Philippines VP and chief audit executive Edwin Natividad, Meralco EVP and COO Ronnie L. Aperocho, NGCP president and CEO Anthony Almeda, TransCo president and CEO Fortunato Leynes, National Power Corp. president and CEO Fernando Martin Roxas, Meralco SVP Senior and group chief audit executive Melanie T. Oteyza, and NPC internal audit senior department manager Vedalisa Arevalo./Contributed photo

What they’re saying

Meralco EVP and COO Ronnie L. Aperocho said embedding audit foresight into execution ensures innovation is achieved with order and discipline.

“By embedding audit foresight into strategic execution, we ensure that transformation happens with control, not chaos. This is especially vital as we pursue innovation without compromising risk standards or regulatory alignment.”

Meralco SVP and chief audit executive Melanie T. Oteyza described advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) as the “digital nervous system of modern utilities.” She stressed that auditing AMI requires addressing interdependent risks like cybersecurity, data integrity, vendor reliability, and compliance.

She added: “Internal Audit must evolve from guardians of compliance to catalysts of resilience and innovation. Our role is not only to protect value—but to enable it.”

The big picture

Meralco’s AMI program underpins the government’s Retail Aggregation Program, which by June had successfully switched 19 aggregated groups comprising 292 services. 

Oteyza urged ASEAN utilities to adopt insights-driven auditing, powered by AI and analytics, to detect anomalies, anticipate weaknesses, and enhance predictive decision-making.

Held on Aug. 13–14, 2025, the HAPUA Summit brought together 150 audit leaders from seven Southeast Asian countries. 

Oteyza called for cross-border collaboration to strengthen audit maturity and safeguard the future of regional utilities.  —Ed:Corrie S. Narisma

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