School canteens monitored for illegal tapping of power

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Education has prohibited the tapping of the school’s power supply to power up privately operated canteens inside the different public schools in the city.

Cebu City schools district supervisor Rhea Mar Angtud yesterday issued the order following reports that a canteen inside the Zapatera National High School has been tapping the school’s electricity.

Angtud advised canteen operators to secure their own electrical connections from the Visayan Electric Company.

Angtud admitted she received the report about the illegal connection in Zapatera. The canteen is reportedly managed by the husband of one of the teachers. The FREEMAN was able to confirm it when this reporter visited the canteen yesterday.

The parents who built the canteen last year are now complaining because it is operated only by one of the teachers.

“Kanang maong canteen kaming mga ginikanan ang nagtinabangay paghimo ana kaniadto. Kami ang nangita og mga kahoy nga magamit para matukod ang canteen kay cooperative lagi kuno, pero usa ra man ka maestra ang nag-manager,” a parent said.

Angtud said that tapping the school’s electrical connection is illegal because it is the Cebu City government that pays the electric and water bills of the school.

The teachers of Zapatera Elementary School are also operating a separate canteen through their cooperative, but they claimed to have their own electrical connection and VECO is billing them every month.

Angtud has requested all the principals of public elementary and high schools in Cebu City to help monitor the activities of the canteens in their schools. — THE FREEMAN