Question & AnswerQ&A (PROCLAMATION NO. 193)
The purpose of Proclamation No. 193 is to declare the month of May of every year as Electrical Safety Month in the Philippines to increase public awareness and education on electrical safety.
The proclamation identifies faulty electrical wiring and, more importantly, ignorance in the use of electrical appliances and gadgets such as overloading outlets and use of counterfeit electrical products as main causes of fires and electrocution.
Declaring May as Electrical Safety Month aims to amplify and reinforce consciousness on electrical safety, thereby reducing loss of lives, properties, and economic losses caused by electrical fires and electrocution.
The Bureau of Product Standards (BPS) under the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is the National Standards Body for electrical products.
The IIEE is tasked with conducting electrical safety awareness campaigns throughout the year in coordination with the BPS and subject to approval by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).
The IIEE entered into an agreement with the Singapore-based International Copper Association-Southeast Asia (ICA-SEA) to conduct electrical safety awareness campaigns.
Counterfeit circuit breakers, power strips, extension cords, batteries, and holiday lights are mentioned as hazardous products that can cause fires, explosions, shocks, and electrocutions.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) coordinates and approves the electrical safety programs and activities.
Economic losses brought about by fires contribute to reduced productivity, which negatively affects the economy of the country.