The Manila Electric Company (PSE: MER), also known as Meralco (/mɜːrɑːlkoʊ/, Tagalog: [mɛɾalˈkɔ]), is an electric power distribution company in the Philippines. It is Metro Manila's only electric power distributor and holds the power distribution franchise for 22 cities and 89 municipalities, including the whole of the National Capital Region and the exurbs that form Mega Manila. The name "Meralco" is an acronym for Manila Electric Railroad and Light Company, which was the company's official name until 1919.