Polling centers are ‘no kite flying’ zones

Kite flying, a popular summer past time, may pose a serious threat on election day.

The Visayan Electric Company (Veco) urged the public, especially children, to avoid flying kites near power lines to prevent trip offs.

Veco records show that kites entangled in power lines caused 87.54 hours of power outages last April and 47.9 hours in March.

Theresa Gonzales Sederiosa, Veco corporate communications manager, aired her appeal on radio dyLA yesterday.

“The public may not be aware, but kite flying is a threat during the election. Kites that snag in power lines near polling centers could cause power service interruptions,” she said.

Val Saludes, Veco vice president for engineering, expressed similar concern.

“We are especially concerned about the threat this poses during elections,” he said in a press statement.

Last January, a kite that accidentally got snagged in a power line caused a 14-hour brownout in Naga City.

The frequency of such accidents increased in March and April.

Gonzales said that in March there were 252 cases of kites getting caught in power lines.

There were 18 cases of power interruption due to such accidents resulting in 47.9 hours of power outages.

Last April, 236 kites were removed from power lines. This caused 31 power outages and a total of 87.54 hours of power interruptions.

“Veco would like to remind the public that kite flying is prohibited in roads, rooftops, bridges, alleys, and thoroughfares and especially in areas where there are power lines, telephone wires or other similar wiring connections”, the statement added.

Veco assured that their crew was working double time to remove wayward kites caught in their power lines.

At least two emergency crew units are on standby to remove them.

The most number of cases was recorded in Talisay City, Naga City, Minglanilla town , Mandaue City, and barangay Labangon in Cebu City.

Gonzales said Veco is ready for this Monday’s election.

Veco crews will be sent to strategic areas or sites near polling centers.

In case of emergencies, she said, their crew can respond in a few minutes.

She said Veco has also o tapped additional personnel who will answer calls in their hotline: 2308326.

“We have more people to attend to phone calls to the hotline,” she said.