Meralco supports DTI program on MSME development

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has forged a partnership with the country’s largest power distributor, Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), to support and promote the development of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

The DTI said it made official last week through a memorandum of agreement its partnership with Meralco which started last year.

Under the agreement, Meralco would provide technical assistance to MSMEs on its service application requirements as well as give free technical consultancy related to electricity and power for the DTI’s Shared Service Facilities program.

With Meralco’s assistance, DTI Regional Operations Group Undersecretary Zenaida Maglaya said MSMEs would not only be able to identify ways on how they can be efficient but also how they can lower their power costs.

“Over the years that we’ve been helping and working with our micro, small and medium enterprises, they always keep on saying that all they need is capital and financing. But little did they know that somehow there are savings along the way – that they can really use and that power is something they should consider in saying how they can really be more efficient,” Maglaya said.

Through the partnership, the DTI said Meralco would be given a slot in Small and Medium Enterprises Roving Academy sessions in Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Rizal, Batangas, Laguna, Quezon and Pampanga.

In addition, the DTI field offices would allow Meralco to post and distribute advertising materials in the agency’s Negosyo Centers and invite the company in the annual SME Development Week celebration to feature its products and services.

Meralco senior vice president Al Panlilio said the agreement with DTI is not only beneficial for MSMEs but even for a large company like Meralco as well.