MCWD public affairs manager Terry Andaya said the number of water meters stolen from different places in Metro Cebu has steadily increased from 429 in 2003, to 937 in 2004, to 1,042 last year.
The latest statistics also showed that for the first four months of this year, the number of water meters reported stolen has already reached 450.
The month when meter thieves were most active was last September when 254 water meters were reported stolen.
MCWD is offering a P25,000 reward to anybody who can help them arrest and prosecute a thief and another P10,000 if their information leads to the arrest of their buyers.
Andaya believes that if the stealing of water meters becomes rampant it can only mean there is a high demand for water meters in other places outside the city.
Stolen meters are sold at P2,000 each.
Only last month, MCWD general manager Armando Paredes personally handed the reward to the two policemen and four anti-crime volunteers who were responsible for the arrest of a water meter thief and for the apprehension of the buyer.
The buyer, Casiano Montero, a junk shop owner in Mandaue City, was also charged for violating the Anti-fencing Law. MCWD personnel recovered 16 stolen water meters from Montero's shop.
Andaya also warned the public from buying water meters from unauthorized persons, particularly if the water meters are already used. - Rene U. Borromeo