Meralco flags jumper connected to LRT-1 Baclaran power line

Authorities from Manila Electric Company (Meralco) raided residential areas in Pasay City and in Parañaque City on Friday after several houses and stores were illegally connected to the power line of LRT-1’s Baclaran Station.

According to Jonathan Andal’s report in "24 Oras," the operation stemmed from the complaint of LRT-1’s management. Meralco personnel were able to seize 100 kilograms of electric cables from 40 houses and 10 stores.

“Mayroon pong mga tapping points yung loadside ng metro ni LRT. Sabi nga po nila, sila pa yung hina-harass po ng mga naka-ilegal,” said Ralph Anthony Supan, an officer of Meralco South Metering Services.

(There are tapping points on the loadside of the LRT’s meter. They informed us that these illegal users are harassing them.)

Meralco personnel went to Barangay 145 in Pasay City and in Barangay Baclaran in Parañaque City to remove the illegally connected electric wires.

But some residents explained that they have to find an illegal source of electricity for various reasons.

“Alam naming mali, ngayon lang talaga. Napilitan lang talaga kami kasi sumisigaw na yung bayaw ko na sumasakit talaga yung ano niya, mainit,” said “Rolando,” who noted that Meralco has yet to restore their power line following a recent fire incident in Pasay City.

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(We are aware that this is wrong, but we have to do it just this time. We did this because my bedridden father-in-law is experiencing pains and feels hot.)

“Alam ko naman na mali. Mapipilitan ka na lang din kasi yung hirap ng kitaan ng pera,” said “Tekla,” who has been using jumper for more than a decade.

(I know that this is wrong. But we have no choice given how hard it is to earn money these days.)

For its part, Meralco explained that using legal power lines would save households more money.

“Sa Meralco, ang binabayaran lang naman po ay yung bill deposit, that’s around P1,580…Let’s say may utang sila sa Meralco, we can offer installments,” said Gary Antioquia, Meralco Parañaque Relationship Manager.

(In Meralco, our customers only pay for the bill deposit, which is around P1,580…Let’s say you have pending bills with Meralco, we can offer installments.)

Meralco said that jumper users can be penalized with a fine of up to P20,000 or imprisonment of up to 12 years under the Anti-Pilferage Law. — Vince Angelo Ferreras/BAP, GMA Integrated News