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Affiliated with the family firm Lopez y Compania

The firm’s origins date to 1882 when the Compañia de los Tranvias de Filipinas was founded to operate the concession granted by the Spanish colonial authorities for a five-line network emanating from Plaza San Gabriel in Binondo, running to Intramuros, Malate, Malacañang Palace, Sampaloc and Tondo. Construction began in 1885 and the first portion of the system was opened to the public in October 1888. It proved very popular with the citizens of Manila and the network was steadily expanded over the ensuing years. In 1905 the existing lines were electrified, and all new lines were electric from the outset. By 1920 some 78 kilometers of track serviced the growing metropolitan Manila area and more than 170 cars were in service.

The Compañia de la Electricista de Filipinas was organized in 1892 to provide electric power to Manila, and operating began in 1895 with the completion of its central power plant on Calle San Sebastian. When the conversion of the Tranvias trolley system to electricity in 1905 – drawing from that firm’s own power plant on Isla Provisora – it was suggested that the two firms combine to provide better service throughout the capital. A formal merger was effected in 1908.

In 1930 the firm completed the nation’s first hydroelectric power station at Botocan, and in 1933 began construction on the Caliraya Dam hydroelectric scheme – which was completed in 1936 at a cost of ten million pesos, producing 30 megawats of power to feet the growing needs of the metropolitan Manila.

The firm has also acquired subsidiaries operating electricity concessions in Angeles, Cavite, Olongapo, San Fernando and Tarlac, and is affiliated through the family firm Lopez y Compania with the Panay Electric Company.