CITY OF SAN FERNANDO — The San Fernando Electric Light and Power Company has launched a more aggressive campaign against electricity theft, warning of stricter enforcement and harsher penalties for violators.
Company spokesperson and legal counsel Cathy Diaz emphasized that SFELAPCO will pursue legal action against anyone caught tampering with electric meters. “We are taking a firm stance. Tampering with meters is a criminal act, and we will prosecute offenders to the full extent of the law,” Diaz said.
SFELAPCO has discovered several cases where consumers inserted resistors into their meters to slow down the electricity reading. In many instances, tamperers had broken or removed both SFELAPCO and Energy Regulatory Commission seals to carry out the scheme.
Power theft is a violation of RA 7832 (Anti-Electricity and Electric Lines/Materials Pilferage Act of 1994) which prescribes penalties of six to twelve years in prison, with cases in SFELAPCO’s service area potentially facing up to 20 years behind bars. Fines ranging from ₱20,000 to ₱100,000 may also be imposed.
Diaz also warned of the serious risks involved. “Illegal connections and meter tampering not only result in blackouts but also pose severe safety hazards, including the risk of fire and serious injury,” she said.
SFELAPCO urges the public to report incidents of electricity theft. The company assures that all reports will be handled with strict confidentiality.
Electricity pilferage contributes significantly to system loss—the discrepancy between electricity distributed and what is actually billed. Depending on the utility and region, these losses can range from 6% to as much as 13% of total electricity consumption.
RA 7832 explicitly prohibits unauthorized tapping into or tampering with electrical lines, meters, and equipment. Violators face imprisonment and financial penalties, and power companies are mandated to inform customers annually about these provisions, including how meter tampering is detected and computed.
SFELAPCO made it clear that it will not settle theft cases out of court. The utility pledges to pursue full legal action and apply zero tolerance, especially for repeat offenders. Press release
