THE DAVAO City Water District (DCWD) collaborated with the Davao City Police Office to put an end to seasonal water meter theft cases.
DCWD spokesperson Jovana Cresta Duhaylungsod said only one customer coordinated with them in filing a case among the number of complaints they received. Nonetheless, their office is still pursuing the cases against the violators.
Duhaylungsod urged customers to cooperate to facilitate the cases against perpetrators and report illegal activities to the DCWD or the DCPO. Nonetheless, she said the number of stolen water meters has not reached alarming levels.
Areas with reported water meter thefts last year were at Juna Subdivision and Talomo.
Customers are required to submit requirements to the DCWD to restore their water services if their meters are stolen.
DCWD will roll out an active campaign to encourage homeowners and barangays to increase community vigilance against water meter theft activities.
“Dako kaayo ug tabang ang supporta sa community, residences and even sa mga customers para ma prevent or ma pagamay nato ang kaso sa water meter theft (The community and customers have a big role to play to prevent or minimize water meter theft cases),” she said during the Kapehan sa Dabaw on Feb 3.
Water meter thefts are punishable by law in the same way as the Anti-Fencing Law or Presidential Decree (PD) 1612. Penalties for anti-fencing are imprisonment for several years and fines depending on the stolen property.
Last Nov 2024, DCWD cooperated with the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) and revealed that the number of water meter thefts in 2024 decreased to 10 cases.
