by Lenie Lectura - August 25, 2016
The partnership between the
Department of Energy (DOE) and the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) to provide
immediate electrification to remote areas has gained ground, with thousands of
households now enjoying the benefit of reliable electricity service.
From July 8 to present, the
DOE-Meralco tie-up has electrified a total of 5,263 households in Gaya-Gaya,
San Jose del Monte, and other municipalities in Bulacan and Laguna; some parts
of Rizal; and Happy Land Aroma, Baseco Compound, Isla Puting Bato and Parola in
Tondo, Manila.
Meralco and the DOE recently met to
discuss, among others, right-of-way, various ongoing construction works, peace
and order, and other barriers that hamper plans to energize the marginalized
sector, including the target communities identified by the DOE.
In the same meeting, both vowed to
help people living below the poverty line to have access to electricity.
At the same time, the DOE reminded
indigent families to secure legal electrical connections to reduce the risk of
fire hazards.
The unlawful use of electricity is
prohibited under Republic Act 7832, otherwise known as the Anti-Pilferage of
Electricity and Theft of Electric Transmission lines/Materials Act of 1994.
Among the prohibited acts include wire-tapping, tampering, installing or using
tampered electrical meter, jumper, current-reversing transformer, shorting or
shunting wire, loop connection or any attempt to destroy any accessory of the
metering device box, which encases an electric meter or its metering
accessories.
The Magna Carta for Residential
Consumers also disallows consumers from performing acts related to the
pilferage of electricity. The code reinforces the Anti-Pilferage Act by
reiterating the circumstances that constitute prima facie evidence of the
illegal use of electricity.
These policies serve as the DOE’s
guidelines to safeguard the welfare of the consumers against any untoward
incidents, such as fire that may have been triggered by faulty electrical
wiring, destroying properties and even resulting in loss of lives.
The DOE remains committed to fulfill
its household electrification program, especially benefiting those living in
economically depressed communities by providing them legal, secure, safe and
stable supply of electricity.
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