Mayor Targets Power Theft, Tightens City Procurement Rules

By Reamae Velasco

Iloilo City Mayor Raisa Treñas has issued two executive orders aimed at cracking down on illegal electricity connections and strengthening procurement processes in the city government.

Under Executive Order 15, Treñas reactivated and reorganized Task Force Boltahe to pursue individuals illegally tapping into city-owned power lines, commonly known as “jumpers.”

These unauthorized connections have been linked to several fire incidents in Iloilo City.

“We are determined to file cases against electrical thieves for violating Republic Act 7832 or the Anti-Electricity Pilferage Act of 1994,” Treñas said in a statement.

She emphasized that these violations not only endanger public safety but also misuse resources paid for by the city government.

The task force will inspect illegal electrical connections in areas including public markets, plazas, schools, streetlights, gyms, and other city-owned buildings.

“To ensure that streetlights in the city’s 180 barangays function efficiently, Task Force Boltahe will now serve as the city’s watchdog,” she added.

The task force will coordinate with MORE Electric & Power Corp., Iloilo City’s sole power distributor, to monitor operations and ensure compliance with electrical regulations.

In a separate directive, Treñas signed Executive Order 19, reconstituting the Iloilo City Bids and Awards Committee, Technical Working Group, Secretariat, and Contract Management Group (CMG).

The new structure outlines clear procurement protocols, including document tracking systems, workflow guidelines, and mandatory inspections with photo documentation and written reports.

“For clear accountability, the CMG has established a tracking system, document flow, and delivery protocols to easily trace the movement of documents and supplies,” Treñas said.

The CMG’s legal team is tasked with reviewing and drafting contracts to ensure compliance with Republic Act 12009, the New Government Procurement Act.

All deliveries must be witnessed by inspectors from the General Services Office, CMG, and the requesting office to ensure transparency.

Unauthorized interference in the procurement process will be treated as fixing and may result in charges under Republic Act 9485 or the Anti-Red Tape Act.