DIPOLOG CITY - The National Grid
Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) warns the public of the risks of planting
trees under their transmission towers and breaching right-of-way (ROW)
clearances.
In a recent interview, Atty. Cynthia P. Alabanza, NGCP spokesperson,
has emphasized the importance of maintaining safety clearances, saying ”the
NGCP has its eyes on private landowners who intentionally and unintentionally plant
trees under the transmission lines.”
According to the spokesperson, NGCP has been dealing with
this problem since the company took over the operations of the country’s
electric transmission business. Thus, the NGCP is seeking the help of the local
government units (LGUs).
The NGCP has recently sought the help of the municipal
government of Balo-i, Lanao del Norte in curbing tree planting under and along
transmission lines in the said municipality.
NGCP’s right-of-way (ROW) problem in Balo-i has caused
frequent line trippings or brownouts, not just in said town, but also in the
western part of Mindanao. To solve the problem, NGCP is pushing for the Balo-i
government to create a municipal ordinance prohibiting tree planting under and
along transmission towers.
“NGCP is proactive in solving ROW issues. We do not want to
wait for more trippings and accidents to happen. We are reaching out to LGUs,
specifically the Balo-i local government, and enjoining their help so that we
can work together in taking care of the power lines and ensuring public’s
safety,” explained Alabanza.
“As we all know, our lines carry very high voltage power.
Safety clearance violations are detrimental not just to NGCP’s operations but
also to public safety. Three things can happen – electrocution, accidents, and
line trippings or brownouts – which are all damaging to NGCP, the victims, and
ultimately, the electricity consumers. We ask for the public’s cooperation in
avoiding tree planting along our lines to help us lessen, if not eliminate,
transmission line-related accidents in the future,” stated Alabanza.
In addition to coordinating with LGUs, NGCP regularly
conducts information campaign on transmission line safety and ROW clearances.
“NGCP is going to the grassroots level to reach the intended
audience, the barangays or communities hosting transmission facilities,”
Alabanza added.
“NGCP believes that information dissemination is the best way
to equip the public in avoiding transmission line-related accidents. Right now,
NGCP is also collaborating with national and local media agencies in sending
its public advisories about transmission line safety,” said Alabanza.
NGCP also advises the public to refrain from engaging in
activities that may cause damage to transmission lines, including tree
planting, building structures and putting up antenna, kite-flying, and starting
grass fires, along and under its transmission lines, towers, and substations.
Such activities conducted close to NGCP’s transmission facilities may cause
electrocution due to induction and may lead to fatalities.
“Transmission line-related accidents usually occur during
summer season because this is when the public, especially the children, fly
kites. Grass fires also usually occur during summer. We are reminding the
public engage in these activities away from our transmission lines to avoid
accidents, particularly electrocution,” the NGCP spokesperson explained.
Also part of NGCP’s safety campaign is the distribution of
safety information materials to local government units. As a supplementary
safety measure, NGCP is also considering putting up additional danger signs on
its transmission towers which will serve as visual warnings.
NGCP is a privately owned corporation in
charge of operating, maintaining, and developing the country’s power grid. NGCP
transmits high-voltage electricity through “power superhighways” that include
the interconnected system of transmission lines and towers, substations and
related assets. NGCP’s regular maintenance activities and expansion projects
aim to enhance the reliability and quality of electricity delivered to
customers. (PIA9)