Philippines: Theft of streetlight wires costs Makati P5.7M a year

Philippines: Theft of streetlight wires costs Makati P5.7M a year

THE theft of streetlight wires and accessories in various barangays has
already cost the city government of Makati over P5.7 million since July last
year, according to Mayor Abigail Binay-Campos.

"We, as a community, must take action and put a stop to the rampant stealing
of wires and accessories of our street lampposts that repeatedly plunges
many of our streets in darkness," Binay said in a statement.

The mayor noted that violators of the Anti-Pilferage of Electricity and
Theft of Electric Transmission Lines/Materials Act of 1994 are also putting
residents and the general public in grave danger.

"These lawbreakers have not only put to waste millions of pesos worth of
taxpayers' money, but have also seriously endangered residents and other
innocent civilians passing through affected streets," she said.

In a report to the mayor, OIC-City Engr. Elmer Acuesta gave a breakdown of
the financial costs incurred by the city amounting to P5,754,424, as
follows: P4,426,480 for total cost of materials and P1,327,944 for labor
cost.

Acuesta also reported 1,350 damaged streetlight poles and 54,000 meters of
damaged street light wire connections resulting from wire thefts and illegal
connections.

Under Republic Act (RA) 7832, violation of Section 3 ("Theft of Electric
Power Transmission Lines and Materials") carries the penalty of reclusion
temporal (12 years and 1 day to 20 years) or a fine ranging from P50,000 to
P100,000, or both, at the discretion of the court.

On the other hand, illegal use of electricity cited under Section 2 of the
said law, which includes illegal connections and jumpers, is punishable with
prision mayor (six years and one day to 12 years) or a fine ranging from
P10,000 to P20,000, or both, at the discretion of the court.

Meanwhile, two suspects apprehended by the police on August 11 at Makati
South Cemetery for illegal tapping or pilferage have been charged before the
city prosecutor's office for violation of Section 2 of RA 7832 and are
awaiting trial, police records bared. They were identified by the police as
Mark Gil Seno Gonzalez, 27, single and a resident of Barangay Olympia, and
37-year old Gerry Hondrada Demalgen, married and jobless, residing at Manila
South Cemetery.

Binay is urging residents and the public to report incidents of theft of
streetlight wires to the police or notify the city government through the
city government's social media platform "so the culprits could be arrested."

She said she has ordered local authorities to step up patrols, especially in
areas where wire theft is frequently committed.

"The consequences of this crime cannot be taken lightly. We must be vigilant
and promptly report incidents of wire theft to the authorities," she said.

Binay said she has asked Makati police chief S/Supt. Gerardo Umayao to
increase police visibility in areas with high incidence of wire theft based
on the records of the city engineering office.

"I expect to see results in the coming weeks," she said. "It should either
be more arrests or fewer incidents of wire theft.

She also urged the police to go after individuals or establishments that are
buying stolen wires and accessories and arrest them for violating the
antifencing law.

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Link to Original Article:
http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/theft-of-streetlight-wires-costs-makati-p5-
7m-a-year/

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John Diecker
APT Consulting Group Co., Ltd.

www.aptthailand.com