MORE SLAMS ‘METER BASHING’

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

MORE Electric and Power Corp condemned the alleged deliberate destruction of electric meters which they discovered in the past days after assuming power distribution services in Iloilo City.

Since taking over on Feb 28, 2020, MORE Power recorded 38 cases of broken meters in different locations in its franchise area.

MORE Power is now conducting cut-off reading and changing of old electric meters.

Allana Mae Babayen-on, legal officer of MORE Power, said they are disappointed with the deliberate destruction of the meters.

“MORE Power is disappointed but not entirely surprised. The drive to rehabilitate and upgrade the distribution system, to stamp out illegal connections, and to ensure transparency in meter reading and billing, while laudable objectives, may still be met with resistance by some quarters who cannot and will not accept change—even for the better,” Babayen-on said.

Babayen-on added that the “deliberate, malicious, and spiteful destruction of electric meters” not adversely affects MORE Power’s meter-tagging and inventory but also poses serious threats to the lives and properties of Iloilo City residents.

“We appeal to the good citizens of Iloilo City, barangay officials, city government, as well as our law enforcement officers, to aid us in putting an end to this destructive waste of resources. We encourage everyone to report any suspicious activity to the Philippine National Police and/or notify MORE Power of the same through our website, Facebook page, or hotline numbers. Let us unify against attempts to sabotage Iloilo City’s progress,” she added.

She appealed to barangays captains in the city to be vigilant against attacks on their facilities during the launching of I-Konek More Konek on Wednesday at the City Hall.