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DOE Launches ‘Brigada Kontra Jumper’ to Fight Electricity Theft, Cut System Losses
The Department of Energy (DOE) today launched “Brigada Kontra Jumper,” a government initiative to strengthen the fight against electricity theft and non-technical system losses, protect paying consumers, and improve accountability across the electricity distribution sector.
As part of the initiative, the DOE is calling on the public to report suspected illegal electrical connections, jumpers, and tampered electricity meters through the eGovPH platform, providing consumers and communities with an accessible channel to bring suspected violations to the attention of authorities.
“Electricity theft is not a victimless act. Illegal connections and meter tampering contribute to losses in the distribution system, with legitimate consumers potentially bearing part of the cost. Through Brigada Kontra Jumper, we are bringing government, utilities, and consumers together to address this problem more decisively,” Secretary Sharon S. Garin said.
Through eGovPH, the public may report illegal connections or jumpers, such as unauthorized wires connected directly to power lines or connections that bypass electricity meters; tampered meters, including meters that appear to have been opened, altered, damaged, or bypassed; and electrical safety hazards, such as exposed or sparking wires, overheating meters, and loose or dangerous electrical connections that could lead to fire or electric shock.
To report, open the eGovPH app, select Report, proceed to Electric Power Concerns, and choose the appropriate category: Illegal Connection/Jumper, Tampered Meter, or Electrical Safety Hazard. Indicate whether the concern is ongoing or was previously observed, and provide the location, date and time observed, a brief description, and other available information that can help authorities validate the report. Users may also upload up to five photos.
Once successfully submitted, eGovPH will generate a ticket number that may be used to track the status of the report. The DOE reminds the public to submit reports responsibly and based only on actual observations to facilitate proper verification and appropriate action.
“Huwag hayaang ang nagbabayad nang tama ang sumagot sa nakaw na kuryente. I-report po natin,” Secretary Garin added.
The DOE also reminded the public: “Report it, do not approach it.” Suspected illegal connections, exposed wires, damaged electrical equipment, or tampered meters should be treated as potentially energized and dangerous. The public should not approach, touch, remove, tamper with, or attempt to repair them, and should instead keep a safe distance and leave inspection and corrective action to authorize personnel.
Brigada Kontra Jumper supports the DOE’s broader System Loss Reduction Action Plan, which combines anti-pilferage enforcement with meter management and audits, consumer education, improvements in billing and collection, consumer database cleansing, and institutional strengthening among distribution utilities and electric cooperatives.
The initiative will also strengthen coordination among the DOE, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Philippine National Police, National Electrification Administration (NEA), electric cooperatives, and private distribution utilities in addressing electricity pilferage and non-technical system losses.
The DOE emphasized that consumer protection is at the center of Brigada Kontra Jumper. Reducing electricity theft requires stronger enforcement, greater utility accountability, and responsible public participation to ensure that paying consumers are not unfairly made to shoulder the cost of illegal electricity use. ###