ZAMBOANGA CITY — A united and multi-sectoral campaign is now in full force in Zamboanga City as the National Electrification Administration (NEA), Crown Investment Holdings, Inc. (CHI), Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative, Inc. (ZAMCELCO), and the City Government of Zamboanga work hand-in-hand to combat electricity pilferage and strengthen the delivery of reliable, legal power to residents.
This collaborative initiative is being implemented under the leadership of NEA Administrator Antonio Mariano “Nani” C. Almeda, who has deployed the Multi-Electric Cooperative Task Force (Task Force Kapatiran) and mobilized much-needed technical expertise and logistical support to ZAMCELCO, focusing on addressing critical system losses caused by illegal connections, meter tampering, and outdated infrastructure.
Administrator Almeda’s directive paved the way for the launch of Task Force Metro Zamboanga (TFMZ), a specialized team composed of engineers, linemen, and metering experts from electric cooperatives across Mindanao. These skilled personnel are working side by side with ZAMCELCO and its investor-manager, CHI, to inspect power lines, replace defective meters, and dismantle unauthorized connections in priority barangays across the city.
Backing these technical efforts is the strong support of the City Government of Zamboanga under Mayor Khymer Adan T. Olaso, who has pledged a whole-of-government approach to end rampant electricity pilferage. Through his directive, various city departments and barangay leaders have been mobilized to assist ZAMCELCO operations, facilitate public education campaigns, and ensure that enforcement measures are implemented at the grassroots level.
“Electricity pilferage is not just ZAMCELCO’s problem—it’s a citywide concern,” said Mayor Olaso. “It affects every household, drives up costs, and weakens our power supply. That is why we are working hand in hand with NEA, CHI, and ZAMCELCO to resolve this issue decisively.”
To further strengthen field operations and improve the grid’s infrastructure, Crown Investment Holdings, Inc., as the investor-manager of ZAMCELCO, has further infused P310 million to fund capital expenditure projects. This investment enabled the upgrading of the San Jose Gusu substation, procurement of brand-new service vehicles, rehabilitate distribution lines, and install over 41,000 new meters. These developments build upon an earlier capital infusion of approximately P100 million, which supported the upgrading of the Ayala Substation to 20 MVA and the Cabatangan Substation to 10 MVA. Crown’s investment has now pushed its total investment in ZAMCELCO to nearly 3 Billion pesos since 2019.
As part of its consumer outreach, ZAMCELCO is conducting One-Stop Shop (OSS) activities across barangays to encourage residents to legalize their electricity connections. Application and connection fees are fully waived, removing financial barriers and incentivizing households to switch to legal power. These OSS drives are jointly coordinated with the City Government to ensure smooth facilitation and maximum public reach.
In addition to community engagement, the campaign is also being firmly enforced on the ground. ZAMCELCO, NEA, and the City Government are working in close coordination with the Philippine National Police (PNP), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to crack down on pilferage-related offenses. These security agencies are providing essential enforcement and intelligence support to protect frontline teams and ensure that violators are apprehended and prosecuted in accordance with Republic Act No. 7832.
“Electricity theft is a criminal offense, and we are sending a clear message: it will not be tolerated,” emphasized Mayor Olaso. “By working closely with our law enforcement partners, we are ensuring accountability while protecting honest consumers.”
This comprehensive anti-pilferage campaign underscores the power of collaboration among national agencies, local government, law enforcement, and the private sector. By working together with shared purpose and commitment, NEA, CHI, the City Government of Zamboanga, and ZAMCELCO are setting a strong example of how united action can lead to safer, more reliable, and more sustainable energy for all Zamboangueños.
Further reinforcing this collaborative momentum, NEA Administrator Antonio Mariano Almeda conducted an official visit to ZAMCELCO on October 6, 2025, where he was warmly welcomed by employees and officials. During the visit, Administrator Almeda was briefed on the progress of Task Force Metro Zamboanga, including updates on initiatives to reduce systems losses and improve ZAMCELCO’s consumer database.
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