BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – The Central Negros Electric Cooperative (CENECO) confirmed it is losing P325 million each year due to power pilferage.
Illegal tapping to CENECO’s power distribution lines has become a serious problem in some parts of Bacolod City, according to Leo Arimas, CENECO Technical Services Division chief engineer.
Among the barangays where CENECO has power pilferage problems are Cabug, Handumanan and Felisa. All three belong to the electric cooperative’s Sum-ag Feeder 1.
As part of efforts to combat power pilferage, CENECO has added additional inspection crews.
It also offers rewards to those who can point illegally tapping and identify the culprits.
Thanks to the initial solutions they have implemented, according to Arimas, CENECO already has anti-electric pilferage apprehensions to around 60 to 70 every month.
Under Republic Act 7832 or the Anti-Electricity and Electric Lines/Materials Pilferage Act of 1994, it is unlawful for any person to either tap, tamper, damage, destroy, or steal from power lines and transmissions.
Any individual caught in such illegal activity can face fines ranging from P20,000 to P100,000 depending on the section of the law that was violated, or prison time of from six to 12 years./PN
