The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) is urging the public to veer away from kite flying and other activities near transmission lines as these may cause power interruptions.
NGCP as of May 29 recorded 87 incidents of kites entangled in transmission lines, most of which were reported during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) period.
“These rising incidents of kite entanglements comes at a period where electricity is crucial in the ongoing efforts to combat COVID-19. Breaching safety clearances not only threatens power transmission delivery for the entire grid but also endangers the lives of kite flyers.
Transmission lines carry extremely high voltages between 69,000 volts to 500,000 volts.
Compare this to the power supplied by our outlets, which is only 220 volts. Lines also need not be physically touched to cause accidents,” NGCP warned.
One recent incident caused an 8-hour emergency shutdown of its Las Pinas-Dasmarinas 230kV line, compromising the reliability of the grid.
NGCP said grass burning activities and malicious planting of vegetation below or within the transmission right-of-way corridor are also discouraged.
The firm also encourages the public to report kite entanglements, high growing vegetation and kaingin activities in proximity of transmission lines and towers by contacting its tip hotline at 09178476427 or 09188476427.
