With customer-centricity at the heart of its business and communications, the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) bagged major awards at the recently concluded 52nd Anvil Awards, dubbed as the “Oscars of Public Relations”—a much-anticipated event organized by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP). Meralco was awarded with 11 Gold & Silver Anvils in various categories, and was named the first-ever Anvil Awards Public Relations Team of the Year, for “demonstrating exemplary service and outstanding performance in shaping a mutually beneficial relationship with the public.”
Seven Gold Anvil Awards were presented to the power distribution utility for PR and communication programs and tools that highlighted the company’s notable efforts in corporate and social responsibility, community development, youth/children’s welfare, as well as exemplary communication to internal employees, shareholders and partners.
One Meralco Foundation, the company’s social responsibility arm, bagged six golds, with two for its electrification campaigns. “Energizing Off-Grid Island Public Schools through One Meralco’s School Electrification” program has been providing far-flung communities access to sustainable energy via solar PV panels, and equipping public schools with technologies for better learning opportunities. Since 2012, OMF and Meralco employees have energized and funded multimedia learning materials for 23 off-grid schools.
Meralco’s community development program RAISE (Relocatees and Informal Settlers Electrification) has already energized at least 4,600 households in marginalized areas, helping families enjoy better quality of life by providing them with access to electricity, giving them hope for the future—students are able to study better, families find livelihood for themselves, and the streets become safer.
OMF’s Football for Peace was also awarded a Gold for excellence in utilizing football as a tool to advocate for peace and inculcate values such as discipline, teamwork, sportsmanship and camaraderie among children in war-torn areas, particularly
in Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. A joint advocacy with the Philippine Marine Corps, Football for Peace aimed to help put an end to the cycle of war by confronting it in a different battlefield.
One Meralco’s power restoration assistance for the victims of Typhoon “Nona” in the provinces of Oriental Mindoro and Sorsogon also won a Gold Anvil, recognized for highlighting the company’s commitment to serve and to give light in communities beyond the company’s franchise area. A total of 150 volunteers were deployed in these provinces, speeding up the restoration of power lines that benefited a combined total number of 30,000 power customers.
OMF’s Makabayan Volunteerism Program, dubbed as 7 Days of MVP—a meaningful celebration of its Chairman Manny V. Pangilinan’s 70th birthday—was also hailed as a Gold Anvil winner. 7 Days of MVP is an integration of several programs, including: volunteerism (distributed 7,000 back-to-school kits and learning equipment via Meralco employees’ donations); school electrification (energized the 170th off-grid school through solar technology); youth development (2016 MVP Academic Achievement Awards). MVP Academic Achievement Awards (MVPAAA) is OMF’s flagship internal program that recognizes and highlights the extraordinary achievements of Meralco employees and their dependents. MVPAAA also separately won a Gold Anvil for inspiring the future generations to strive for excellence and reward individuals that continue to excel in their respective fields.
“The recognitions that were bestowed by the PRSP are affirmations that we are on the right path in our mission to spread the light and ultimately uplift Filipinos’ lives. Rest assured OMF and the Meralco community will continue to create and execute advocacies that bring these agenda forward,” says Jeffrey Tarayao, One Meralco Foundation President.
Acquiring another Gold Anvil was Meralco’s utilization of corporate engagement platform Workplace—a platform functioning similarly to Facebook but offers more secure, familiar, and innovative ways to work in an organization. Guided by its digital pivot, Meralco launched “Workplace by Facebook” to further strengthen collaboration and growth with its employees. It was initiated simultaneously throughout the entire company with an event held in different location, connected via video conference, and streamed live to all Meralco offices.
Three silvers were awarded to Meralco for its information programs that bring forward consumer empowerment, including: 1) Meralco Advisory, for its renewed format on monthly rates situationer, with highlights on energy efficiency tips; 2) Election 2016 Preparedness Program, for its timely and relevant communication on electricity safety, and bringing the power industry together to ensure a brownout-free automated elections;
3) Meralco’s Pokemon Go Marathon, which maximized the Pokemon Go app craze by integrating it with the Meralco Orange Fit holistic wellness program and turning Pokemon Go into an engaging company marathon; and 4) the Meralco and One Meralco Foundation 2016 Unified Annual Reports: Powered by Service, Driven by Commitment, for highlighting the company’s passion for service excellence that spurs the company to find innovative solutions for customers, and OMF’s commitment to help uplift communities in need of help.
Highlighting the PR and communication achievements is Meralco’s victory in one of the most coveted awards—the first-ever Public Relations Team of the Year, for successfully powering communications in the Philippine electricity industry.
According to Joe Zaldarriaga, Meralco Head of Public Information Office, “We are very grateful and honored for winning these awards.” He continued, “We have always believed that providing relevant and valuable information is an important aspect of the service we provide everyday. We hope to continue using effective communications in helping empower our customers and the public we serve.
Alfredo Panlilio, Meralco SVP and Head of Customer Retail Services & Corporate Communications says, “As a public utility, challenges in communications tend to occur at a constant rate, especially with the advent of technology. It is imperative for Meralco to overcome all these challenges and show that we are more than just an electricity service provider, but a company that cares for all its customers. Our awards are an affirmation that we are on the right track and committed to continue our efforts on delivering impactful customer-centric programs, and in communicating valuable information for the benefit of all our stakeholders.”
Presented annually by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP), the ANVIL is the symbol of Excellence in Public Relations. It is awarded to outstanding public relations programs, tools and practitioners after careful screening by select PR professionals and judging by a distinguished multi-sectoral jury. Since its inception in 1963, the Anvil Awards has grown in scope and stature, now encompassing a total of 36 specific categories for programs and tools and 8 special categories.