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The Meralco Power Academy (MPA), the education and workforce development arm of the Manila Electric Company (Meralco), is nurturing the country’s future engineers and scientists. With widening regional initiatives across the Visayas and Mindanao, MPA is ostering industry-ready talent and stimulating innovation that strengthens the country’s energy future.
Through strategic partnerships with universities, immersive summits for young learners, and rigorous internship programs, MPA is demonstrating that sustainable energy progress begins with deep investment in human capital. From Iloilo to Iligan and Cebu, students are gaining access to opportunities that blend academic knowledge with real-world industry exposure.
Building Regional Academic Alliances
In late 2025, MPA formalized new collaborations with two of Cebu’s established engineering institutions: the University of San Carlos (USC) and Cebu Institute of Technology University (CIT University).
The memorandum of understanding between MPA and USC, inked in October 2025, outlines joint training initiatives, sustainability-focused research programs, and expanded industry immersion opportunities for students. Senior leaders from both organizations framed the partnership as an investment in innovation and national development.
“By combining USC’s rigorous academic foundation with MPA’s cutting-edge industry expertise, the University is ensuring that its graduates are not just job-ready but future-ready,” said USC President Fr. Francisco Antonio T. Estepa, SVD, at the official signing event. “This alliance is more than an agreement; it is a shared investment in innovation, energy security, and the overall sustainable development of our nation.”
Just days earlier, MPA formalized a similar pact with CIT University. The collaboration focuses on equipping engineering students with practical skills, empowering them through workshops, knowledge-sharing activities, and direct exposure to the energy industry’s evolving landscape.
“These partnerships underscore our commitment to building a strong pipeline of industry-ready professionals in the Visayas region,” noted MPA Executive Director Ian Chester V. Colorina.
“By working closely with leading academic institutions, we aim to provide students with hands-on learning experiences that prepare them for the evolving demands of the energy sector.”
(Also read: Iloilo Lights Up: Wind & Renewables Boost Island Communities)
Inspiring Tomorrow’s Innovators
Beyond higher education partnerships, MPA is investing in the earlier stages of STEM development through targeted youth events. One of the flagship engagements was the Visayas leg of the Young Engineers and Scientists Summit (YESS), hosted at the MGEN Innovation Center in Iloilo in October 2025.
The summit brought together 90 promising students from the Angelicum School Iloilo, Philippine Science High School, and Leganes National High School. The event was designed to spark curiosity, broaden perspectives, and kindle passion for engineering and scientific innovation.
In his welcome remarks, MGEN President and CEO Emmanuel V. Rubio highlighted the crucial role of nurturing future innovators in the power sector. A standout moment was the keynote address by Filipino inventor Mark Kennedy Bantugon, who recounted his journey developing Pili Seal, a sustainable aircraft sealant. His story highlighted how purpose-driven innovation can create meaningful and lasting impact.
The Iloilo summit also marked the launch of a new collaboration between MPA and MGEN to set up a dedicated Center for Innovation in the Visayas. This initiative is poised to provide sustained platforms for research, experimentation, and peer learning among young talent in the region.
MPA carried the YESS momentum to Mindanao with a major event in Iligan City, held in November 2025 in partnership with Mindanao State University–Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT). The MSU-IIT gymnasium was filled with almost a thousand junior and senior high school students from a wide array of schools, including Abuno National High School, Iligan City National High School, and Philippine Science High School, among others.
During the summit, Chancellor Alizedney M. Ditucalan encouraged participants to pursue their passions with resilience and purpose. The program blended inspirational talks with interactive panel discussions, giving students a platform to engage with professionals and explore emerging possibilities in engineering and science.
One of the featured speakers was MSU-IIT alumnus and Meralco employee Jun Cabalhug. He shared his personal journey and stressed the importance of flexibility and continuous learning
as students prepare for their future careers.
(Also read: Sunlight to Sustenance: Solar Irrigation Boosts Farming in Capiz)
Hands-On Professional Development
Complementing its academic and youth engagement programs, MPA also offers immersive experiences through its Meralco Power Camp — a 240-hour summer internship designed to challenge students with meaningful, project-based tasks while expanding their technical and leadership capabilities.
In August 2025, MPA recognized 28 engineering students who completed the Power Camp program. Graduates of the camp came from a broad spectrum of respected universities across the Philippines, including the University of Santo Tomas, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Mindanao State University–Marawi, University of the Philippines, University of San Carlos, Technological Institute of the Philippines, and Ateneo de Manila University.
The ceremony celebrated the interns’ commitment to hands-on learning and their strides in problem-solving, collaboration, and professional growth. These experiences not only deepen technical proficiency but also instill confidence and real-world readiness among future engineers.
Sources:
https://tribune.net.ph/2025/12/22/meralco-power-academy-empowers-youth-in-vis-min