4,000 ‘JUMPERS’ SEIZED IN ILOILO

THE ongoing campaign by the new power distributor in Iloilo City on the proliferation of illegal electrical connections has so far resulted to the discovery and dismantling of at least 4,000 “jumpers” covering 42 villages.

According to More Electric and Power Corp. (MORE Power), the discovery and dismantling of these illegal connections under its ‘Oplan Valeria’ campaign is expected to contribute to the overall improvement of the power supply situation in the city.

Likewise, the company said their campaign, supported by local officials, has also resulted to the decision of some 1,500 households to legalize their electrical connection by applying for electrical service and connection.

A report by the local Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) to the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) earlier noted that between 2014 and 2019, they recorded 2,887 fire incidents of which 1,464 incidents or 51.87 percent, were traced to short circuits and pole fires of PECO.

On the other hand, a technical study by engineering firm, MIESCOR Corp., on Iloilo’s electricity distribution network indicated that there were about 30,000 illegal connections in the city alone, a report that was supported by Mayor Jerry Treñas.

The report added the proliferation of “jumpers” can be traced to PECO’s “inaction” to the problem.

For nearly a century and until last year, PECO was the sole distributor of electricity in Iloilo and nearby areas.

However, Congress in early 2019, decided to deny PECO’s application for a renewal of its franchise and awarded it instead to MORE Power.

The amount of electricity pilfered from the 30,000 illegal power connections had contributed to the huge system losses incurred by PECO at 9.3 percent in 2018 alone, MORE Power noted further.

This “system loss” is then passed on to the legitimate consumers, resulting to a much higher per-kilowatt-hour cost, MORE Power noted further.

As a result of MORE Power’s corrective measures to prevent power theft, bring down system losses and encourage the legal use of electricity, the cost of electricity has been reduced by one peso per kilowatt hour, the Iloilo Economic Development Foundation (ILED) noted recently.

From the previous P10/kWh under PECO, the current rate is now pegged at P9/kWh, the “first time” that electricity in Iloilo fell below P10/kWh, ILED added.

Ariel Castaneda, head of MORE Power’s apprehension team, said since taking over from PECO last March, they had also “streamlined” the process of applying for electricity under their “IKONEK” program.

 “We have shortened the process even more. As soon as they submitted the necessary documents and clearances from the City Engineer’s Office like the Electrical Safety Inspection Certificate and had paid their bill deposit, even partial, they will be installed an electric meter right away,” Castaneda explained.

He said that to date, about 1,000 residents who used to maintain illegal “jumpers” have received regular connections and their own power meters.

Atty. Allana Babayen-on, MORE Power legal officer also bared that already, six violators of the Anti-Pilferage Law have been charged in court.

The law prescribes a mandatory jail time of up to 12 years and/or a fine of up to P20,000 for offenders.

‘Blessing, sigh of relief’

For Punong Barangay John Gary Patnubay of Brgy. East Baluarte, Molo, the crackdown on jumpers comes as a blessing to finally end the usual incidents of fire traced to faulty electrical wiring in his barangay.

“I really heave a sigh of relief every time I think that we can now avoid incidents related to this illegal activity which is common here for many years now,” Patnubay bared.

“Let’s give it to MORE Power and its iKONEK Program that it launched in partnership with the city government of Iloilo to encourage city residents in securing their own regular power accounts,” he added.

“In my barangay alone, more than 80 of the 130 applications for electrification are now legally connected with the power company, 50 of which were processed in a single day,” Patnubay declared.

MORE Power president Roel Castro, for his part, emphasized that cooperation by residents and barangay officials is key to a productive and successful endeavor in the community.

“This situation in Brgy. East Baluarte, Molo, definitely proves that and we expect all the other areas in the city of Iloilo to do the same for us to finally end power pilferage and further improve our distribution system,” he said.