srew2020 e setlers endanger transmission ines, says —~ Business NEWS OPINION SPORTS LIFESTYLE ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESS. TECHNOLOGY GLOBAL NATION Informal settlers endanger transmission lines, says NGCP By: Dasimn L Lucas - Reporter taxing) >hip>>e Dey rau OSO7AM Octebe 1207 The operator of the country’s electricity grid is pushing for the resolution of Most READ longstanding disputes over so-called “rights of way" which prevent it from “ clearing the land around its transmission facilities of informal settlers. tips at eet ee your Christmas Celebrations a SM According to National Grid Corporation of the Philippines, some informal settlers make it a point to occupy the empty lots around its steel towers— Minority senators thank meant to be kept clear of structures as a safety buffer—and even prevent arypetePasterent fer the company's maintenance personnel from approaching the facilities release unless “access fees” are paid to these illegal occupants. sesvinto ‘Water remains our saving ‘race right now Explosives found in tast “Communities may experience power outages as a result of various ‘month jlo Sula blast obstructions close to our transmission towers and lines,” NGCP said in a ste - ve rt - statement. “Not only do these interrupt the delivery af power, they may also NE actos endanger the lives of people.” bring PH COVID-19 count 0 286,743 cases As the country’s sole operator of the power grid, NGCP has the mandate and oe legal right to build transmission facilities on property taken for public use. Sosa ing Expres ‘The firm recommends the appropriate right-of-way clearances depending ao ‘on the voltage levels passing through specific towers. A tower facilitating the distribution of 500 kilovolts of electricity, for example, must have a vertical clearance of 17 feet and a horizontal clearance of 65 meters, while FROM AROUND THE WEB tower facilitating 230 kV of electricity must have horizontal clearance of 40 Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber Selling Bevery meters. Montreal Home ‘Breaks Quebec Price Record Magnitude 6.1 earthquake shakessi220e0 re tens nesses acne ty “The recent incident involving a felled tower in Alabang is a clear illustration of our right-of-way challenges,” NGCP said. “The tower fell as a result of a fire that started with the informal settlers at the base of the tower. While we have constructed a permanent structure, we are also working to ensure that any similar incident in the future could be prevented.” ‘The company said that right-of-way challenges spanned an entire spectrum of concerns, from negotiating properties to individuals or communities disregarding tower clearance requirements. The latter comes in multiple forms, including informal settlers residing at the bases of towers, children playing dangerously close to the transmission lines, trees growing on the path of transmission lines, and even animals being tied to the bases of towers. There have also been cases of pilferage of parts of the transmission towers and lines. At present, there are several laws that help reinforce the right-of-way status accorded to NGCP. Republic Act No. 7832 or the Anti-Electricity and Electric ‘Transmission Lines/Materials Act of 1994 prohibits anyone from taking any piece of an electric power transmission line or tower or pole, or even possess or transport this portion other than where it should be. These include steel transmission line towers, porcelain or glass shell insulators, and other pieces of hardware. Meanwhile, House Bill No, 1224 proposes regulating the planting of high- ‘growing species of plants and prohibiting the construction of any structure below or within the right-of-way limit ofall power transmission lines. The proposed bill also gives entities like NGCP the authority to cut, prune, or remove any high growing plant or obstruction within the right of way clearance without prior permission from the owner. On July 25, the Anti- Power Line Disturbance Act was approved by the House committee on energy and is now for deliberation by the Senate committee on energy. Moreover, Republic Act No. 10752 or An Act Facilitating the Acquisition of, Right of Way Site or Location for National Government Infrastructure Project was signed on March 2016. The law provides for owners of private property taken for public use to be given just compensation. Business ‘groups have lauded the passage of such law, noting that this would facilitate more infrastructure projects in the country, (Wee ni etre yo gee bs eowiere on wabte, By cnt. ove weg aunt