Cable theft on the rise
It’s worse “than a drug menace”.
This is the lament of Digital Telecommunications Philippines, Inc. (DIGITEL) following 108 recorded cable theft incidents this year, the highest since the firm started operations in the province in 1994.
Edmund Pedro, DIGITEL area commercial operations manager, said the rampant theft has already cost them millions.
“This is really a big problem for us because we are losing millions of pesos and yet service is expected by our subscribers,” Pedro said in an interview with The PUNCH.
The incidents took place mostly in Urdaneta City, particularly in barangays Nancamaliran, Mabanogbog and Sta. Lucia.
“Sa ngayon bumabandera na ang Pangasinan kaya nakakahiya (Now, Pangasinan is leading, so it’s shameful),” Pedro said comparing the province to Cavite, which used to be their top problem area on cable theft.
Pangasinan is the second biggest area of DIGITEL, next to Pampanga, serving the entire province except the town of Urbiztondo, where cable theft has reached an uncontrollable level.
Pedro urged the police to pursue the planned Joint Anti-Cable Task Force Action Committee, to be led by the police in partnership with the utility service providers.
The imported copper content of the cables are sold at P200 per kilogram in junk shops.
Pedro also urged the public to help them address the problem by promptly reporting knowledge of cable theft through their hotline 1130.#
Share your Comments or Reactions
Powered by Facebook Comments
