Manuel V. Pangilinan-led Manila Electric Company (Meralco) has recognized the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) support in addressing electricity theft as it pledged to sustain efforts to reduce system losses, particularly non-technical losses arising from illegal connections and power pilferage.
During a House Committee on Energy Technical Working Group meeting, Meralco Senior Vice President and Head of Networks Engr. Froilan J. Savet expressed the company’s appreciation for the PNP’s active partnership and enforcement efforts against electricity theft covered by Republic Act No. 7832, or the Anti-Electricity and Electric Transmission Lines/Materials Pilferage Act.
“We are thankful to the Philippine National Police for their help, and we renewed our memorandum of understanding with them last June 8. Last month, we also met with PNP officials to discuss ways to strengthen the campaign against pilferage,” Savet said.
He added that Meralco has submitted investment requirements to the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) for programs aimed at reducing non-technical system losses.
“Non-technical losses are primarily driven by unlawful acts, criminal acts which need collective effort by law enforcement agencies, community, barangay, customers, and of course the government,” Savet said.
Meralco emphasized the importance of continued collaboration with law enforcement agencies in curbing electricity pilferage.
“Electricity pilferage is a crime against the state and cannot be eradicated by distribution utilities and electric cooperatives acting alone, no matter how substantial the resources allocated,” Meralco Senior Vice President and Head of Regulatory Management Atty. Jose Ronald V. Valles said.
Valles also reiterated Meralco’s cooperation in addressing system losses and supporting efforts to lower electricity bills.
Meralco’s anti-pilferage efforts extend to partnerships with the scrap industry and other stakeholders to prevent stolen electrical materials from being sold and recycled back into the market.
The company also conducts routine inspections of electrical facilities, including meters. To complement these efforts, Meralco invests in technologies and systems to improve operational efficiency, reduce technical losses, and detect, deter, and reduce non-technical losses.
Meralco officials pledged to continue pursuing measures to lower system losses as part of the company’s commitment to improving the reliability, safety, and security of the power distribution system.
