Cabaluna, a painter from Barangay Quiot, Cebu City, survived but his left arm was reportedly badly injured.
The freak accident occurred while the young man was painting the wall of the Cansojong Barangay Hall around 11:45 a.m.
Scaffolding
Cabaluna was reportedly adjusting the abaca rope that held up the wooden scaffolding, when it accidentally touched a worn high-voltage wire.
A portion of the electric wire’s outer layer had reportedly peeled off, making it a potential risk.
Luckily, Cabaluna had put on a safety belt, saving him from a fatal fall to the ground.
Cansojong Barangay Captain Arnold dela Torre told radio dyRF Radio Fuerza yesterday that he is set to file a case of serious negligence against the Visayan Electric Co. (Veco).
When he assumed office in December last year, dela Torre said he sent a letter-request to Veco for an ocular inspection because of old dangling wires in his barangay.
He said his request went unheeded and that he was reportedly given a runaround when he followed it up with the electric firm.
Dela Torre said a Veco team merely responded to their call after last Friday’s incident that almost killed Cabaluna.
Out of frustration, dela Torre said he bluntly told a Veco safety officer: “It’s better late than never.”
“I had the incident recorded in the police blotter because I will refer this matter to our city legal officer for an appropriate legal action,” he said. (GC)
