By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
“Huwag hayaang ang nagbabayad nang tama ang sumagot sa nakaw na kuryente. I-report po natin.”
These are the pronouncements made by Energy Secretary Sharon Garin during the launch of a nationwide campaign against illegal and unmetered electricity connections on Tuesday.
Through “Brigada Kontra Jumper”, the Department of Energy (DOE) encouraged citizenry participation in the initiative that aims to protect paying consumers and improve accountability across the electricity distribution sector.
The public may report any of the following through the eGovPH app:
- illegal connections or jumpers (unauthorized wires connected directly to power lines or connections that bypass electricity meters)
- tampered meters (those that appear to have been opened, altered, damaged or bypassed)
- electrical safety hazards (exposed or sparking wires, overheating meters, and loose or dangerous electrical connections)
To report, open the eGovPH app, select Report, proceed to Electric Power Concerns, and choose the appropriate category: Illegal Connection/Jumper, Tampered Meter, or Electrical Safety Hazard.
Indicate whether the concern is ongoing or was previously observed, and provide the location, date and time observed, a brief description, and other available information that can help authorities validate the report. Users may also upload up to five photos.
Once successfully submitted, eGovPH will generate a ticket number that may be used to track the status of the report. The DOE reminds the public to submit reports responsibly and based only on actual observations to facilitate proper verification and appropriate action.
Sec. Garin underscored the importance of this initiative, “Electricity theft is not a victimless act. Illegal connections and meter tampering contribute to losses in the distribution system, with legitimate consumers potentially bearing part of the cost.
Through Brigada Kontra Jumper, we are bringing government, utilities, and consumers together to address this problem more decisively.”
The crackdown aims to address electricity pilferage and non-technical system losses, with help from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Philippine National Police (PNP), National Electrification Administration (NEA), electric cooperatives, and private distribution utilities.
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