Meralco makes historic win at the PRWeek Awards Asia 2016

Meralco gives the country its first ever gold award as the best crisis/issues management campaign of the year at the prestigious PRWeek Awards Asia 2016 in Hong Kong. The lone gold winner from the Philippines was for Meralco’s communication efforts during the summer supply crisis threat of 2015. The power distribution company was also awarded the Philippines’ first trophy in the corporate social responsibility campaign of the year category – a silver for the “salba-bote” campaign. Meralco bested nominated entries from Asia Pacific countries including Japan, Australia, India, Indonesia, Singapore and Hong Kong. The annual awards, now on its 15th year, celebrate the most creative and effective public relations campaigns across Asia.

Last year’s summer power supply crisis threat proved to be a rewarding challenge for the power distribution company as Meralco sought for ways to mitigate the supply deficiency, and at the same time empower various stakeholders with multi-platform solutions. Meralco was able to turn around a crisis scenario via bringing forward innovative demand-side management solutions and harnessing collaboration, earning the company, and the country, the first gold trophy in the regional awards program.

Meralco senior officials Alfredo Panlilio (right), SVP & Head of Customer Retail Services & Corporate Communications; Ronnie Aperocho (middle), FVP and Head of Networks; and Primo Alonzo, Jr. (left), Head of System Control Center, review the results of the Interruptible Load Program simulation- one of the key initiatives of Department of Energy and Meralco to help mitigate power supply deficiency threat last year.

Meralco also got a silver for “salba-bote”, the company-developed safety device used to protect lives during typhoons and floods. “Salba-bote” is an improvised flotation device (IFD) made of readily available materials making it easy to replicate and distribute to customers in flood-prone areas. “Salba-bote” serves as a multi-functional rescue gear and survival kit, made up of empty recyclable softdrink bottles inside a plastic-coated mesh bag with water-resistant pocket for emergency supplies. Salba-bote is the only IFD publicly endorsed by the Philippine Red Cross and the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary to be used during rescue operations.

Residents living near Pasig River try out salba-bote IFD. Salba-bote is a product of collaboration among Meralco partners Pepsi Cola Philippines, Glad and DDB Philippines.

Alfredo Panlilio, Meralco Senior Vice President & Head of Customer Retail Services & Corporate Communications, believes that the awards are manifestations of the company’s endeavor to provide customers with outstanding communication service & initiatives, “Our communication efforts last summer was centered on empowering customers with solutions and allowing for tight collaboration, while salba-bote is a product of innovative thinking and concern for the safety of our customers. Winning accolades for both underlines the importance for companies, especially for utilities like Meralco, to go above and beyond the call of service, and create initiatives that drive real change with an impact on nation-building.”

Panlilio speaks at an ILP Forum aimed to educate implementers of the mechanics of the ILP.

Panlilio adds, “This is a shared achievement, not just for Meralco but for the nation as well. It shows that the Philippines is at par with the best campaigns in the Asian communications industry.”

ADVT.