Visayan Electric taking action on unscrupulous linemen, contractors
Visayan Electric Company, Inc. (Visayan Electric) announced that it is already investigating reports about linemen or contractors extorting money in exchange for prioritization of the re-electrification of their homes or establishments.
The distribution utility added that it is taking this concern seriously and ensures that people who will be proven to have done such illegal actions will be penalized accordingly.
“We ask for cooperation from the public not to entertain or participate in these illegal activities. We highly urge everyone to report these incidents through our Visayan Electric hotline number 230-8326 or send us a direct message on our Facebook page,” the utility company said in a statement first released to Cebu press on January 7.
Moreover, Visayan Electric said it is not liable for any damage or loss arising out of or in connection with the unauthorized re-energization arrangement entered into by customers. Visayan Electric does not warrant the quality of the wirings, equipment, or materials used in these unauthorized electricity connections.
The utility company stated that illegal connections are unsafe as they expose the public to fire and electrocution hazards and are against Republic Act 7832 or the Anti-Pilferage of Electricity and Theft of Electric Transmission Lines/Materials Act of 1994.
Visayan Electric, its accredited contractors, and industry partners working within its franchise area do not require nor accept any re-electrification or prioritization fees. Restoration of electricity is free of charge. Its teams on the ground are working 24 hours a day to fast-track power restoration efforts in Cebu.
Visayan Electric continues to make progress in its re-electrification efforts, with a total of 269,747 customers now energized as of noon Wednesday, Jan. 12, driving power demand within the franchise area to 374 MW or approximately 75% of the pre-Odette level.
However, the team also continues to discover the greater extent of the damage caused by Typhoon Odette. As of January 12, there are now 1,997 damaged poles, three and a half times the 560 damaged poles previously surveyed last December 26, and this number continues to rise as the utility accesses farther-flung areas.
Visayan Electric has also augmented its teams working on the field, with an additional 33 linemen and bucket trucks expected to help in restoration activities.
