POWER transmission operator National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) is renewing its call to expedite the passage of the Anti-Power Line Disturbance Act.
It also reminded the public to observe right-of-way clearances following several row breaches recorded recently, affecting NGCP’s power transmission services to its customers.
NGCP expressed concern over the recent spate of right-of-way violations. “We have been very serious in the conduct of our information and safety campaigns in the communities near our transmission facilities. But our efforts are often ignored because there is no legal consequence to breaching safety clearances. These breaches in right-of-way not only threaten the reliability of the transmission system, causing unnecessary inconvenience to power customers but also risks the lives of anyone involved or living near the area,” said NGCP.
The company called on the legislative body for the immediate passage of the bill, which seeks to prevent obstructions and penalize the introduction of high-growing vegetation or hazardous improvements along power line corridors.
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, chairperson of the Senate committee on energy, recently sponsored the Senate version of the said act while Congressman Carlos Uybarreta, vice chair of the House energy committee, sponsored its counterpart bill in the lower house. (PR)