8 water consumers charged for meter-tampering in Ecija
SAN ANTONIO, Nueva Ecija — Rampant illegal connections in the water supply distribution were uncovered here following the filing of charges against eight local consumers serviced by the municipal government-operated water supply system office here.
The suspects were slapped with charges for alleged “meter-tampering” that resulted in the sudden reduction of their monthly bills due to decreased water consumption.
Those before the provincial prosecutor’s office were identified as Nonilon Galang, of Purok 3, Bgy. Sta. Barbara; Emer Wood and Rogelio Valenton, both of Sitio Compra, Caingin, Bgy. Camajuan; Anselmo Dela Cruz, Purok 4; Manuel Pascual, Purok 5; Gladys Juliano, Purok 5; Aileen Nieves, Purok 4; and Merly Silvestre, Purok 6, all of Bgy. Sta. Barbara.
The complaint against them were filed after the San Antonio Water Supply System headed by Augusto O. Cinco found out during a regular check-up and maintenance works that the suspects were engaged in “meter-tampering” of their water supply connection.
Municipal planning and development officer August Ortiz, whose office supervises the operations of SAWSS in the four barangays of Sta. Barbara, Panabingan, Lawang Kupang and Cama Juan, said the alleged activity was discovered when service linemen found out that the suspects dismantled the tailpiece of the water meter, disabling its outflow reading capacity.
Ortiz said this resulted in the reduction in the total water consumption of the suspects’ monthly bills.
Cinco said he ordered his men to inspect the suspects’ water lines after noting a sudden decrease in their respective monthly water bills. He said all their water lines have already been cut following the discovery of the alleged meter tampering.
Ortiz said charges for violation of Republic Act 8041 o National Water Crisis Act of 1995 have been slapped against the suspects before the provincial prosecutor’s office.
