MEXICO—Owing to an improved line safety campaign focusing on public engagement and a new media approach, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines has registered a decrease in electrocution incidents involving power transmission facilities across the country.
However, while the campaign resulted in a decrease of electrocution incidents, the NGCP noted an increase in transmission line and tower parts pilferage since 2014.
Information sessions focusing on transmission line safety and right-of-way were conducted in barangays and local government units identified as crucial to NGCP operations, particularly project completion, said NGCP Central Luzon corporate communication officer Ernest Vidal.
Records show electrocution incidents decreasing from a peak of 29 in 2012 to a five-year low of 17 in 2015. No employee-related accidents were also recorded from 2015 to present.
For the first semester of 2016 alone, the nationwide campaign had reached 120 barangays, 474 media outfits and 320 local government units. In the weeks leading to the national elections in May, NGCP also carried out 12 forums in Commission on Elections-identified poll hotspots to reiterate line safety reminders and to increase public vigilance against ROW violations, said Vidal.
The campaign is widening its audience reach with NGCP’s partnership with the Movie Television Review and Classification Board for the free airing of NGCP safety videos in cinemas nationwide.
Civilians, particularly the mobile-savvy generation, are also continuously being encouraged to report transmission-related incidents with the launch of the 0917-TIPNGCP (0917-8476427) / 0918-TIPNGCP (0918-8476427) hotline and email ([email protected]).
In 2015 alone, 13 incidents of stolen parts from transmission lines, substations, and other related facilities were reported to NGCP. Five cases have been reported from January to May 2016.
“While NGCP is very pleased to report the positive development in line with our safety advocacy to lower electrocution incidents, we continue to warn the public to respect transmission line clearances. We are also concerned with the prevailing increase of pilferage of our tower parts and lines. This greatly reduces the safety and reliability of our operations, not just in the local area, but on a national scale. We are appealing to the public to support our cause and help prevent power interruptions by reporting theft and pilferage of NGCP facilities to 0917-TIPNGCP (8476427) or 0918-TIPNGCP,” NGCP statement said.
R.A. 7832 or the Anti-Electricity and Electric Transmission Materials Pilferage Act of 1994 prohibits the possession, control, or custody of electric power transmission line/material by any person not engaged in the transmission or distribution of electric power, or in the manufacture of such materials. Law offenders face 12 to 20 years of imprisonment and fines ranging from P50,000 to P100,000.