October 26, 2016
THE Department of
Energy (DOE) and the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) are closely working together
to provide electricity to as many poverty-stricken areas as they can.
Both parties target to
energize around 25,000 households in various identified areas.
“We are looking at
20,000 by middle of November. Hopefully, we will hit around 25,000 before
Christmas,” Meralco Assistant Vice President for Public Information Joe
Zaldarriaga said.
Latest figures showed
the DOE-Meralco partnership has energized a total of 18,026 households in the
areas of Gaya-Gaya, San Jose del Monte, and other municipalities in Bulacan,
Laguna and some parts of Rizal; and Happy Land Aroma, the Baseco Compound, Isla
Puting Bato and Parola Area in Tondo, Manila.
“I
am committed to accomplishing the marching order of the President to provide
our people the chance to enjoy a more comfortable quality of life through the
delivery of safe, stable and reliable electricity services,” Energy Secretary
Alfonso G. Cusi said. He was referring to the DOE’s Household Electrification
Program, in collaboration with Meralco.
The DOE fully supports
President Duterte’s commitment to serve the marginalized sectors, ensure
inclusive growth and uplift the lives of all Filipinos. Prior to this, Cusi
held a dialogue with Meralco to discuss issues and concerns encountered by the
utility, such as right-of-way, various on-going construction works, peace and
order, and other barriers to the immediate energization of target communities.
The dialogue was a
success, as both parties vowed to help people living below the poverty line to
have access to electricity.
Cusi also suggested Meralco
should check relocation sites, particularly those that pose potential fire
hazards. The energy chief recognized local government unit leaders for their
active involvement in ensuring there will be safe and legal electrical
connections to protect their communities.
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 are: 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
that encases an electric meter or its metering accessories.
“This law serves as the
DOE’s guideline in safeguarding the welfare of the consumers against any
untoward incidents, such as fire, which may be triggered by faulty electrical
wiring that will destroy properties and cause the loss of lives,” Cusi said.
He also emphasized the
giving of access to safer electricity supply as it continues “to make power
available to our less privileged Filipinos.” The DOE said it needed to continue
determining how many residents could not afford to pay their electricity bill.
Aside from its
partnership with the DOE, Meralco also offers prepaid-electricity service for
budget-conscious consumers.
“Even before our
partnership with DOE started, we were already offering prepaid electricity to
help consumers budget their power consumption,” Zaldarriaga said.
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