DAVAO CITY (PIA) — The Davao City Water District (DCWD) has observed an increase in cases involving water meter theft.
DCWD Spokesperson JC Duhaylungsod emphasized the importance of public cooperation in preventing such incidents. Residents are encouraged to report any suspicious activity near water meter clusters to authorities for immediate action.
“That is why we are launching an active campaign to encourage homeowners and barangays to increase community vigilance against these illegal activities. Dako kaayo ug tabang ang suporta sa community, residents, and customers aron ma-prevent or mapagamay ang kaso sa water meter theft.” Duhaylungsod said.
(The support of the community, residents and customers is a big help in preventing or reducing the cases of water meter theft.)
In addition to water meter theft, DCWD has also noted cases of fraud involving individuals falsely claiming to be DCWD employees.
“Many of katong mga nagapangawat ug water meter and even those na nagapang-budol sa atoang mga customer—we have an instance na kuno hay taga water district sila, unya naguba ang water meter, and ila daw ayuhon for a fee.” Duhaylungsod stated.
(Many of those who stole water meters or those who conned customers, we have an instance where they disguised as from the water district and the water meter was damaged and they will fix it for a fee.)
She warned the public to be cautious and to verify the legitimacy of anyone claiming to be a DCWD personnel.
To distinguish legitimate DCWD personnel from scammers, Duhaylungsod provided tips to identify legitimate official employees who wear uniforms, but since uniforms can be imitated, residents should also check for a Citizen Charter ID (CitCha ID), which all field personnel must present before performing any service. Additionally, a company ID serves as a supplementary form of identification that residents can ask for. For further verification, residents can contact the DCWD call center.
“Pero kung duda gihapon mo, dili mo ma-satisfy sa ID, pwede na ninyo itawag sa among call center because all of our deployments—whether sa field man na or sa Commercial Services Department—naa gyud ta ginatawag na maintenance order. So, we can verify kung tinuod na gi-deploy sa inyong connection na ayuhon through that maintenance order.” Duhaylungsod assured.
(If you are still in doubt, you are not satisfied with the ID you can call our call center because all of our deployments whether on the field or in the Commercial Services Department there is what we call a maintenance order. So we can verify if personnel are deployed in your connection that needs to be repaired through that maintenance order.)
DCWD, in coordination with law enforcement, is conducting entrapment operations to identify and apprehend individuals involved in the buying and selling of stolen water meters and reminded that it is also punishable by law under the Anti-Fencing Law. (REC/ PIA XI)
