The Visayan Electric Company yesterday cut off the electricity connection to the barangay hall of Lorega-San Miguel due to electricity pilferage.
The VECO inspection team found out that the barangay hall has no electricity connection of its own and has been getting electricity directly from the VECO post.
Barangay captain Lorenzo Monsanto however said that the barangay hall failed to have its own electric meter and connection to VECO because of lack of building and electrical permits, which are among the requirements in applying for electricity connection.
He said this problem has been there even before he assumed office as barangay captain last November 30.
Mayor Tomas Osmeña, upon learning of the power cut-off, said he was concerned that his satellite office at the adjacent multi-purpose complex (formerly the abattoir), which reportedly gets its power connection from the barangay hall, might be also affected.
Osmeña immediately phoned Agapito Cugay, secretary to the mayor, to look into the matter right away. He instructed Cugay to help prepare the documents for an electricity connection to the multi-purpose complex, using the city’s accounts.
Barangay councilman Fritz Herrera, designated by Osmeña as deputy mayor to sit at the mayor’s satellite office, clarified that the electricity connection of the multi-purpose complex was not cut off.
The complex houses the office of the deputy mayor, birthing center, office of senior citizens, and other offices handling the projects of Osmeña in the barangay. — Wenna A. Berondo/RAE