Key Definitions
- DOE: Department of Energy
- NPC: National Power Corporation
- PNOC: Philippine National Oil Company
- NEA: National Electrification Administration
- Replacement Market Value: The current market price of new transmission lines/materials as sold in Metro Manila
- Electrical Power Transmission Line/Material: Includes steel towers, woodpoles, cables, wires, insulators, line hardware, and conductors with a minimum voltage of 69 KV
- Owner: Entities owning transmission lines/materials, including NPC and other utilities
- Act Reference: Republic Act 7832, addressing pilferage of electrical transmission materials
Reward Computation and Payment
- Rewards are based on the replacement market value of the stolen or tampered materials
- Reward amounts vary:
- 5% if there is prima facie evidence
- 7% if criminal charges are filed (balance paid if 5% already awarded)
- 10% if conviction occurs (balance paid if prior payments made)
- Minimum reward amount is PHP 5,000
Witness Protection Provisions
- Persons with knowledge or witness testimony about the crime can be admitted into the Witness Protection Security and Benefit Program under R.A. 6981
Reporting and Ownership Verification Procedures
- NPC or police make initial ownership determinations upon report receipt
- Purported owners must submit sworn documents proving ownership
- The informant can report directly to other utility owners, who must formally confirm or deny ownership
Conditions for Reward Granting
- Reward given only after investigation and establishment of prima facie evidence
- Possession of transmission material by persons not authorized to have it is considered prima facie evidence
- Reports must not be previously known to the material owner
- Reports must be filed under oath with supporting affidavits and valuation reports
Multiple Informants and Exclusions
- When multiple informants report simultaneously, reward is shared equally
- If reports are made at different times, only the first informant receives the reward
- Employees of DOE, PNOC, NPC, NEA, police, and security personnel of the material owner are excluded from receiving rewards
Dispute Resolution
- Valuation or related disputes are settled through arbitration under R.A. 876 (The Arbitration Law)
- Arbitration awards can be entered as judgments or enforced by courts
Effectivity
- Circular takes effect 30 days after publication in the Official Gazette or two newspapers of general circulation
- Issued by Acting Secretary Francisco L. Viray on May 22, 1995