Manila, March 6 -- The Ilocos Norte Electric Cooperative (INEC) on Thursday said it is investigating a recent discovery that some 600 member-consumers are not registered with its system.

In a press conference at the INEC main office in Dingras town, acting general manager Cipriano Martinez said these unregistered consumers are seen as the main reason for the huge systems loss charges being shouldered by registered consumers.

"Whether it is intentional or not, we really need to correct that," Martinez said.

He said INEC member-consumers are paying about PHP10 million per month collectively due to systems loss charges.

Systems loss refers to unbilled electricity or electricity lost due to pilferage or through the transmission and distri...