Mandaue City residents may expect power shutdowns should a fire or calamity hit their area.
Karlo Cabahug, Mandaue City Disaster Risk Reduction, and Management Office (MCDRRMO) Assistant Head announced on Monday, January 30, 2023, that the Mandaue City Council is mulling an ordinance for this proactive move.
Cabahug said the city government already sent a request letter to the power distributor, Visayan Electric regarding the matter last January 19, 2023.
Cabahug explained that the proposed initiative aims to spare added fatalities during calamities due to electrocution, which poses risks to the affected residents and respondents themselves.
"The most common example is during floods and fires. There are times for us when we operate and conduct rescue operations, but the electrical wires have not yet been shut off. So, our responders are at risk of the danger of being electrocuted, and our residents as well," said Cabahug in Cebuano.
The MCDRRMO has already identified the priority areas for the power shutdown including flood-prone zones such as Barangays Centro, Looc, Opao, Umapad, Cambaro, Subangdaku, Paknaan, and portions within the city's major rivers Butuanon and the Mahiga Creek.
Cabahug added that they are set to conduct a meeting with the City Council, particularly with City Councilor Jennifer Del Mar, the vice chairman of the Committee on Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM), and Chairman Captain Ernie Manatad of Barangay Subangdako.
He said they would finalize all the data and information needed and endorse them to VECO.
Once the proposal becomes an ordinance, Visayan Electric will proactively turn off all electrical connections in areas where disasters or natural calamities such as floods are concentrated.
He emphasized that switching off all electrical connections during emergencies is part of their proactive measures and Information, Education & Communication (IEC) campaigns, especially in schools and business establishments.