MCWD dangles cash rewards for arrest of water meter thieves

Local

TO CURB the growing number of stolen water meters, the Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) is turning to the public with cash rewards for leads.

The water utility announced it will give P25,000 to anyone who can provide information leading to the arrest of individuals buying stolen water meters, and P10,000 to those who can help apprehend thieves.

The reward system was launched in response to an alarming spike in cases. MCWD recorded 174 stolen water meters in May 2025 alone, more than three times higher than in the same month last year.

In just the first 10 days of June, another 116 cases were reported.

The MCWD Board of Directors directed management to coordinate with the Philippine National Police and prepare an action plan targeting both thieves and buyers of stolen meters, also known as fences.

MCWD has formally requested assistance from Police Regional Office-Central Visayas Director, Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan, to address what it described as a “disturbing surge” in cases.

The agency emphasized that this is not the first time it has acted against perpetrators. Previous cases filed by MCWD against water meter thieves have led to convictions, and new cases will be filed against both suspects and fences.

Under the Anti-Fencing Law of 1979, fencing, defined as knowingly dealing in stolen goods, is a criminal offense punishable by prisión mayor or prisión correccional, depending on the value of the stolen property.

The public is urged to report any incident of water meter theft by calling the MCWD Call Center at (032) 254-8434 local 0, or sending a message to the official Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) Facebook page.

MCWD reminded consumers that the removal of a water meter results in immediate disruption of service, as the meter serves as the critical link between the stub-out and the service line to the home.

In addition to inconvenience, stolen meters increase the risk of water contamination due to exposed pipes.

To replace a stolen water meter, affected customers must first report the theft to the nearest police station and secure a police report before proceeding to the MCWD One-Stop Shop.(TGP)