Capelco hikes penalties on power pilferers

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz – The management of Capiz Electric Cooperative (Capelco) has increased penalties on power pilferers.

Engineer Edgar Diaz, Capelco general manager, said the move will punish persons who tamper with meters and resort to other ways of stealing power.

Diaz said the stiffer fines might discourage unscrupulous persons from stealing electricity to the detriment of Capelco and its member-consumers who end up paying for stolen power via the systems loss charges.

In a press conference held Wednesday morning, Diaz said that the new policy defining the parameters of the penalties will be based on Republic Act 7832 (Anti-electricity and Electric Transmission Lines/Material Pilferage Act of 1994).

The higher fines are embodied in Resolution No. 101 series of 2023 which was passed and approved by Capelco’s Board of Directors on May 5, 2023.

Under the new policy, a P10,000 fine and an additional 25% surcharge on the “current bill” will be the lowest penalty apart from perpetual disconnection.

The highest penalty is P30,000 and an additional 100% surcharge on the “current bill” plus perpetual disconnection.

Among the violations cited in the resolution are illegal tapping or jumper connections, meter tampering, and flying connections, among others.

The cooperative will give incentives to informants while their identity will remain confidential.

Last year, 110 individuals were caught stealing power which was valued at P4,555,842.59 in total.

From January to May this year, 32 persons were caught with a total assessment of P1,571,440.24.