Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) is mourning the passing of Oscar S. Reyes, former president and chief executive officer, who died at the age of 79. A respected figure in the energy industry, Reyes led Meralco from 2012 to 2019 — a period marked by bold modernization efforts, a deep commitment to customer service, and the expansion of access to power in communities beyond the company’s franchise area.
“Oscar believed in spreading the light — not only through energy but through principled leadership and public service,” Meralco said in a statement, honoring a man whose steady and humble leadership left a lasting mark on the company and the broader energy sector.
Before joining Meralco, Reyes had a distinguished career in the oil and gas industry, serving as Country Chairman of the Shell Companies in the Philippines, and concurrently as President of Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation and Managing Director of Shell Philippines Exploration B.V.
He was a strong advocate for corporate social responsibility and community development, serving on the boards of several foundations, including the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF), One Meralco Foundation, Pilipinas Shell Foundation, SGV Foundation, and El Nido Foundation.
Reyes earned his Bachelor of Arts in Economics (cum laude) from the Ateneo de Manila University in 1965, and completed academic units toward an MBA at the Ateneo Graduate School of Business in 1971. His executive education included the Program for Management Development at Harvard Business School (1976), the Commercial Management Study Program at Shell International’s Lensbury Centre in the UK, and international training programs in Japan and Canada, including a Diploma in Business Administration and Certificate in Export Promotion from Waterloo Lutheran University.
Meralco expressed its deepest condolences to the Reyes family, saying: “Oscar’s legacy of integrity, service, and leadership will continue to inspire us. We are grateful for the light he shared with so many.”
Funeral arrangements will be announced by the family.
