August 18, 2016
THE National Grid Corp.
of the Philippines (NGCP) reported a decrease in electrocution incidents
involving power- transmission facilities across the country and, at the same
time, an increase of transmission line and tower parts pilferage.
A steady decline of electrocution
incidents was observed, from a peak of 29 in 2012 to a five-year low of 17 in
2015. No employee-related accidents were also recorded for 2015 and 2016 as per
latest report.
Information sessions
focusing on transmission-line safety and right-of-way (ROW) were conducted in
barangays and local government units identified as crucial to NGCP operations,
particularly project completion.
For the first semester
of 2016 alone, the nationwide campaign has reached 120 barangays, 474 media
outfits and 320 local government units. In the weeks leading up to the national
elections in May, NGCP also carried out 12 forums in Commission on
Elections-identified election hotspots to reiterate line safety reminders and
to increase public vigilance against ROW violations.
The
campaign is in the process of widening its audience reach with NGCP’s
partnership with the Movie Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB)
for the free airing of NGCP safety videos in cinemas nationwide.
Meanwhile, the NGCP
noted the increase of transmission line and tower parts pilferage since 2014.
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,” NGCP said.
The grid operator
appealed to the public to help prevent power interruptions by reporting theft
and pilferage of NGCP facilities.
No comments:
Post a Comment