Following reports of stolen meters and electrical wires being sold on various online platforms, Meralco raised the alarm about the rising number of electric meter theft incidents.
In 2023, Meralco recorded 1,596 stolen electric meters—equivalent to a 65% increase from the 969 stolen meters in 2022. The latest data for 2024 showed that from January to May, 865 electric meters were reported stolen.
Under Republic Act No. 7832, the Anti-Electricity and Electric Transmission Lines/Materials Pilferage Act of 1994, anyone caught in possession of stolen electric meters can be punished with at least 12 years imprisonment and/or a fine ranging from P50,000 to P100,000.
“Stealing electric meters and buying stolen meters are crimes punishable under the law. Anyone caught in possession of these stolen equipment will be prosecuted and penalized accordingly. We remind the public that these electric meters are the property of Meralco, and we do not charge our customers for their use,” said Meralco vice president and head of Corporate Communications Joe R. Zaldarriaga.
In the interest of public safety, Meralco also reiterated its reminder to customers to refrain from flying kites near power lines as this can lead to power interruptions or accidents.
“We appeal to the public to avoid flying kites near our facilities to avoid power interruptions and accidents,” Zaldarriaga said.
In May alone, incidents of power interruptions due to kite-flying nearly doubled to 60 from the 32 recorded in the same month last year.
From January to May this year, 115 incidents of power interruption were reported due to kite-flying—a significant increase from the 78 incidents recorded in the first five months of 2023.
Should kites get tangled or stuck in power lines, Zaldarriaga asked the public to report these incidents to Meralco instead of trying to retrieve the items themselves.
Customers can report power outages and other concerns through Meralco’s official social media accounts on Facebook (www.facebook.com/meralco) and X, formerly Twitter (@meralco). They may also text their concerns to 0920-9716211 or 0917-5516211 or contact the Meralco Hotline at 16211 and 8631-1111.