The Manila Electric Company (PSE: MER and MERB), also known as MERALCO or Meralco, is the Philippines' largest distributor of electrical power.

The word MERALCO, is an acronym for Manila Electric Railroad And Light COmpany, which was the company's original name from 1903 to 1919.

MERALCO is the Metro Manila's only electric power distributor and holds the power distribution franchise for some 22 cities and 89 municipalities, including the whole of Metro Manila and Mega Manila region.

Organized in 1892 and began generation in 1895, La Electricista was the first electric company that provides electricity to Manila during the late Spanish era. La Electricista had built a central power plant on Calle San Sebastian (now R. Hidalgo). On January 17, 1895, its streetlights were turned on for the first time. By 1903, it had about 3,000 electric light customers.

On October 20, 1902, the Second Philippine Commission began accepting bids to operate Manila's electric tramway, and by extension, providing electricity to the city and its suburbs. Detroit entrepreneur Charles M. Swift won the bidding by default as he was the sole bidder and on March 24, 1903, was granted the original basic franchise of Meralco.