The parties signed a tripartite agreement to streamline the implementation of public-private models in line with the national government’s targets of increasing RE’s share in the energy mix to 35 percent by 2030 and 50 percent by 2040.
Quezon City Mayor Josefina “Joy” G. Belmonte said the partnership supports the city’s broader sustainability agenda as a member of C40 Cities—a global network of cities committed to climate leadership.
Building systems for sustainability
“One of our core priorities in Quezon City has always been to make energy cleaner, more reliable, and more accessible not just for our whole operations but for households and businesses in our city,” Belmonte said.
“Through this agreement with ERC and Meralco, we’re putting systems in place, clear processes, better coordination, and stronger support so that more stakeholders can take part in our clean energy transition.”
The collaboration seeks to fast-track net metering and distributed energy resource (DER) applications, while raising public awareness of policies and programs that promote renewable energy adoption.
Net metering allows customers with qualified RE systems—such as rooftop solar panels—to export surplus electricity to the grid in exchange for credits that offset their power bills.
As of end-July, Quezon City had the most net metering customers and the largest total capacity among all cities in Meralco’s franchise area, with nearly 2,500 participants.
Clean energy help desk
As part of the agreement, Meralco will set up a booth at the Quezon City Hall Compound to assist residents with net metering and DER inquiries, applications, and other services. The local government will provide logistical support, while the ERC will offer regulatory guidance to ensure proper implementation.
Outgoing ERC Chair Monalisa C. Dimalanta praised the net metering program as a means to empower Filipinos to take part in the country’s clean energy transition.
Meralco senior vice president and chief revenue officer Ferdinand O. Geluz said the tripartite agreement represents a shared commitment to renewable energy.
One city at a time: Scaling clean energy solutions
Meralco will also provide technical experts to serve as resource persons for Quezon City’s information and education campaigns on renewable energy.
This initiative follows a similar collaboration between Meralco, the ERC, and Pasig City LGU, underscoring the power distributor’s strategy of working with local governments to scale sustainable energy solutions across its service areas. —Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
