Intensified NGCP safety campaign lessens electrocution cases, engages civilians
With an improved line safety campaign focusing on public engagement and a new media approach, NGCP is registering a decrease in electrocution incidents involving power transmission facilities across the country.
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.
A steady decline of electrocution incidents was observed, from a peak of 29 in 2012 to a 5-year low of 17 in 2015. No employee-related accidents were also recorded for 2015 and 2016, as of press time.
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 COMELEC-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.
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 (TIPNGCP@ngcp.ph).
While the campaign resulted in a decrease of electrocution incidents, 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. 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,” stated NGCP.
R.A. 7832 or the Anti-Electricity and Electric Transmission Lines/ 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 PhP 50,000 to PhP 100,000.
NGCP is a privately owned corporation in charge of operating, maintaining, and developing the country’s power grid. It transmits high-voltage electricity through “power superhighways” that include the interconnected system of transmission lines, towers, substations, and related assets.
The consortium, which holds the 25-year concession contract to operate the country's power transmission network, is comprised of Monte Oro Grid Resources Corp. led by Henry Sy, Jr., Calaca High Power Corporation led by Robert Coyiuto, Jr., and the State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC) as technical partner.
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