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,
particularly in Lanao del Norte in Mindanao.
In a recent interview, Atty.
Cynthia P. Alabanza, NGCP Spokesperson, emphasizing the importance of
maintaining safety clearances, said that NGCP has its eyes on private
landowners who intentionally and unintentionally plant trees under their
transmission lines. According to the spokesperson, NGCP has been dealing with
this problem since the privately-owned company took over the operations of the
country’s electric transmission business. She acknowledged that NGCP has sought
help from the local government.
NGCP recently requested for the
support of the LGU of Balo-i, Lanao del Norte in curbing tree planting under
and along transmission lines in the said municipality. NGCP’s ROW problem in
Balo-i has caused frequent line trippings or brownouts, not just in the town,
but also in the western region 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 Balo-i local government, and
enjoining their help so that we can work together in taking care of the power
lines and ensuring the 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.
