THE Central Negros Electric Cooperative (Ceneco) has stepped up its anti-electric pilferage operations in its main service areas.
Accompanied by members of the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) last week, they conducted surprise inspections of various commercial and residential establishments in the city.
Malou Parroco, public relations officer of Ceneco, said the operations aim to go after individuals who are illegally tapping into the power lines of the utility.
Parroco stressed that these illegal connections do not only affect the cooperative itself but also cause its consumers to pay for huge systems loss.
The Ceneco official said they are also accepting tip offs from the public as they urge any individual who may have knowledge of someone pilfering into electric power cooperative's connection not to hesitate in reporting these illegal activities to their office.
During the inspection, Ceneco found out that a business establishment was illegally tapping from a power source.
Parroco, who refused to identify the said establishment, said that on Thursday, April 21, they met with barangay captains in the city and appealed for their support in their anti-electric pilferage campaign.
Under RA 7832 or the Anti-Electricity and Electric Lines/Materials Pilferage Act of 1994, it is unlawful for any person to either tap, tamper, damage, destroy, or steal from power lines and transmissions.
Any individual caught in such an illegal activity can face fines ranging from P20,000 to P100,000 depending on the section of the law that was violated, or six to 12 years imprisonment.*