MORE Power’s anti-pilferage drive a success

MANILA, Philippines — MORE Power has successfully neutralized the massive power pilferage in Iloilo City in two years since it launched “Oplan Valeria”– an all-out war against illegal connections, in July 2020.

According to Engr. Edwin Montemayor, head of the system loss reduction program of the distribution utility, the system loss was as high as 28 percent when they took over in 2020.

This prompted the launch of MORE Power’s Oplan Valeria.

The team of courageous engineers, inspector, and security personnel, went to every barangay day and night, not minding if they might apprehend influential personalities, businessmen, government officials, or “ordinary” citizens.

Initially, the company gets an average of 230 illegal connections per month. To date, the number has dwindled to about 10 to 20 cases a month.

At present, the system loss has declined by a mile, with an average of just 7 percent. This improvement is beneficial to the consumers since system loss charges will be minimal.

According to Engr. Montemayor, vigilant consumers played a big role in the success of their campaign because residents knew exactly which areas in their community had massive power pilferage and who were involved.

Each report is handled and treated as highly confidential to ensure that those who vigilantly support this campaign are also protected.

Power pilferage is a violation of Republic Act 7832 or Anti-Pilferage of Electricity and Theft of Electric Transmission Lines/Materials Act of 1994.

According to the company’s legal officer, Allana Babayen-on, they filed 220 formal complaints against those who were in violation of RA No. 7832, 157 of which were elevated to court. As the company is open to enter into compromise agreements, 76 were allowed to be provisionally dismissed on the condition that the accused pay for the illegally consumed electricity.

Atty. Babayen-on clarified that MORE Power is very patient in dealing with and understanding the plight of these pilferers of electricity and that they make sure that due process is followed.

MORE Power helped consumers to have a legal electricity connection and also reduced the requirements for application.

MORE Power also strengthened its partnership with barangay officials in the total rehabilitation of the utility’s facilities and improvement of voltage capacities in exchange for the barangays’ cooperation in eradicating the “jumpers” in their communities.

From 62,000, MORE Power now has 91,000 legitimate consumers.

Pilferage compromises the safety of consumers. It is the root cause of household fires because electric lines get heated due to overloading.

MORE Power appreciates the support and assistance of the consumers and continues to encourage the public to sustain their cooperation and to not hesitate in informing the company if there are still power pilferages in their communities.