LAOAG CITY, Dec. 2 -- The Ilocos Norte Electric Cooperative (INEC) is implementing an amnesty program to curb electricity theft and reduce system loss charges that are passed on to consumers.

INEC General Manager Cipriano Martinez on Tuesday said that INEC member-consumer-owners (MCOs) are collectively paying about PHP10 million per month due to system loss charges attributed to technical and non-technical reasons.

System loss refers to unbilled electricity or electricity lost due to pilferage or through the transmission and distribution process.

Based on initial investigation, Martinez said one of the probable causes of the high system loss rate is due to the existence of defective, anomalous and/or non-functional meters.

"We ask the...