ERC Chief Sanchez acts swiftly vs fake electric meter seals

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) recently discovered fake electric meter seals and meter test reports being used by consumers. ERC Chairman Manuel R. Sanchez immediately sought the assistance of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to track down criminal elements involved in these illegal activities.

Chairman Sanchez also met with meter dealers in his office on June 26, 2003 to ask for the support of the dealers in the drive to stop said illegal acts. They were also reminded that ERC has the exclusive authority to test, calibrate and seal meters.

The first incident involving fake meter seals was discovered on June 3 when a certain Conrado Manjares of Kaingin, Quezon City requested for the testing and sealing of his meter. An ERC inspector detected the meter seal to be fake and was immediately confiscated.

In another incident in Olongapo City, a meter test report was found to have spurious signatories and incorrectly supplied data, according to Engr. Andrew Dayot of Olongapo’s Public Utilities Department.

Engr. Legario Galang, Jr. of ERC’s Consumer Affairs Service noted that there was a significant drop in requests for meter testing. “Records show that for the ten (10) month period (January 2002 to October 2002), ERC averaged between 5,000 to 6,500 meters tested and sealed per month. From November 2002 to May 2003, the Commission only averaged 370 electric meters per month.” Engr. Galang believes that the faking of seals and test reports is one of the major causes of the sudden drop in the number of meters tested.

Engr. Johnny Mendoza, a meter dealer, attributed the proliferation of fake meter seals and test reports to the hike in testing rates prescribed by ERC. He also feels that lack of ERC inspectors contributes to the problem. Other dealers shared his observations.

Chairman Sanchez assured the dealers that the Commission will study their request to lower the meter testing fees and beef up the metering staff. He also offered the ERC texting facility as well as the ERC website as avenues for them to report incidents involving fake meter seals and test reports.

July 16, 2003