KALIBO, Aklan, Sept. 19 (PIA6) – Is your community located near the transmission lines? The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines issued safety reminders to the public to avoid electrocution, accidents and power interruptions.
In a recently held Power Forum with Presentation of Priority Projects conducted by the NGCP at Premier Business Hotel here, Engineer Reynaldo Bontogon discussed on transmission lines safety reminders.
According to Bontogon, planting of trees, which could grow at least 4 meters high like bamboo, underneath the transmission lines, tower or within the Right-of-Way must be avoided because it could affect the flow of electricity and can cause power interruptions. “If in case that there are already existing trees and nearly touch the transmission lines, never cut the trees on your own, instead inform linesmen of NGCP or AKELCO and let them do the dangerous job as they are trained to do so,” Bontogon stressed.
Building houses or any structures under the transmission lines are strictly prohibited by the NGCP. NGCP urged children not to play near the power lines such as: flying kites, playing slingshots or worst climbing transmission towers. “Playing slingshots and hitting insulators by stones could create continuous sparks, which is very dangerous that could even kill our children,” Engineer Bontogon warned. Same as in flying kite that could tangle on power lines, drying clothes and putting flaglets near at the transmission structures should be prevented.
Passing through transmission lines is a very common sighting in rural areas, NGCP reminded the public that when doing so, do not carry long sticks or any object like bamboo, which might get contact with the power lines.
“Since the NGCP power lines carry high voltage power, which in the case here in Aklan – 69KV to 138 KV, without touching or with just a distance of one meter, the electricity could leap and everything could be an electricity conductor, whether a wood or metal,” explained Bontogon, adding that never underestimate the clearance. Moreover, tying animals such as carabao or cow at the NGCP tower and putting poultry near to it, must be avoided.
Burning under transmission structures is also prohibited as the smoke could ionize the transmission facilities, and could compromise the integrity of the structures.
The common mistake of everybody is putting antenna near or under the transmission lines. “This should be avoided because the risk of being electrocuted is very high,” said Bontogon.
Bontogon also advised to never park vehicles or heavy equipment of the constructions company near or under the transmission lines.
NGCP appealed to the public that the aforesaid safety regulations and reminders must be observed so that event of power interruptions, accidents and most of all loss of lives will be prevented. (SQP/PIA6 Aklan)
