La Union LGUs Urged to Prohibit Kite Flying near Electric Lines

By: Rafael C. Mosuela, GPC-SP

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of the Province of La Union passes a resolution urging the people of La Union to refrain from kite flying near electric lines and requesting all component local government units (LGUs) through the respective Local Chief Executives (LCEs) to prohibit the same to avoid power interruptions and untoward incidents. The resolution was authored by Hon. Francisco Paolo P. Ortega V.

Under resolution No. 826-2020, passed on July 28, 2020, LCEs are urged to prohibit in their own turf the flying of kite near electric lines that when it entangles in electric cables may cause power interruption or may cause electrocution.

This matter came from the letter of General Manager Ramon Posadas of the La Union Electric Cooperative, Inc. seeking assistance from the PGLU in the dissemination of the information. SP acted immediately and BM Ortega thought that the best way to handle the situation is to ban it. “Flying kites near power lines could cause sudden power outages, fire, waste problem and worse, even electrocution,” he said.

BM Ortega also mentioned that during the Enhanced Community Quarantine, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines has recorded incidents of kites and strings around high-voltage power transmission lines. He cites Republic Act No. 7832 known as “Anti-electricity and Electric Transmission Lines/Materials Pilferage Act of 1994” wherein it is declared unlawful for any person, whether natural or juridical, public or private, to damage or destroy an electric meter, equipment, wire or conduit or allow any of them to be so damaged or destroyed as to interfere with the proper or accurate metering of electric current.

To minimize the occurrence of power interruptions and to secure the safety of the people of La Union, the said legislative measure was approved.