Transco launches text hotline for power interruptions

The National Transmission Corp. (Transco) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Smart Communication’s subsidiary I-Contacts Corp. for the launch of a text-hotline program that would provide pertinent information to help the firm respond to power interruptions.

Transco president Alan T. Ortiz said the pilot project aims to enlist the public’s participation in providing information that will help Transco’s maintenance crews respond to incidents which may cause power interruptions.

Ortiz said the project will start this week in North Luzon, then will be put in place nationwide within the year.

"This service is part of our continued efforts to protect the gains we have made in ensuring the reliability of our service. This week we are celebrating an important milestone. As of May 18, we have kept the island of Luzon blackout free for three years. We are not about to be complacent, though, as we continue to work harder than ever," Ortiz said.

The Text Hotline will allow the public to report incidents that happen along transmission lines as well as pilferage of tower parts, sabotage of transmission lines and facilities, trippings caused by branches of tall trees touching the transmission lines and facilities, and grass fires or forest fires.

Transco’s customers – primarily distribution utilities, electric cooperatives, and power-intensive industries – can also send their reports on line irregularities as well as feedback and complaints.

I-Contacts is a subsidiary of leading mobile provider Smart Communications and a third party provider for Smart and its affiliates – Talk & Text and Addict Mobile.

Henry Barcelona, I-Contacts manager, signed the MOU with Transco vice president for Luzon operations and maintenance Guillermo Redoblado for the implementation of the project.

To report these incidents to Transco, texters have to key in TRANSCO <space> REPORT <space> (MESSAGE) and send to 700-TRANSCO (700-87267. Informants are requested to provide all the necessary details to help Transco’s crews verify the reports and thereby respond faster.