CEBU, Philippines — In adherence to Mandaue City's Single Pole Ordinance, the Visayan Electric Company (VECO) began clearing wires along Ouano Avenue in the North Reclamation Area yesterday.
Ordinance 16-2024-1883 was approved on its final reading last August 15 that mandates that all utility companies are required to use a single pole for their wires, designating VECO’s poles as the main structure.
“An ordinance establishing a single-pole policy and providing measures for the enhanced rectification of low-lying, unsightly and sub-standard installation of aerial utility lines and the eradication of dead wires, including further measures on preventing entangled aerial lines incidents, and imposing penalty for violations thereof and for other purposes,” the ordinance read.
Councilor Jimmy Lumapas, chairman of the City Council’s Committee on Transportation, said that in implementing this, hazards from low-hanging cables can be reduced and visual clutter from “spaghetti wires”, which have long been a source of complaints to many, can be minimized.
“Ga-expect ta nga in a few months, malimpyo na g’yud ni. Actually kani na ordinance first ni sa entire province of Cebu, ang Mandaue pa ang nakauna aning single pole ordinance kay makita ninyo nga hugaw ug dunay mga spaghetti wires,” said Lumapas.
VECO, as the primary owner of most utility poles in the area, now has responsibility for managing the wires on its poles.
VECO President and COO Raul Lucero shared that as part of this new arrangement, telecommunications companies and cable providers will be required to pay for using the poles of VECO.
Additionally, it also mandates raising the height of wires from 16 feet to 20 feet, to further improve and reduce hazards.
Telecommunications companies will be required to maintain a minimum wire height of 18 feet from the ground to allow clearance for trucks, while VECO’s own lines will be installed at a height of 23 feet.
Lucero said that their goal is to ensure safety while minimizing disruptions to power and internet services during the wire-cleaning process.
“Naa man g’yuy mga instances nga ang uban telco magbutang og ilahang poste despite naa nay amoa (VECO) nga poste so mahitabo nga ma doble-doble na, we now become a jungle of poles maong gi-mandate na g‘yud diri sa Mandaue,” he said.
He added that they will install new brackets on their poles, providing specific spaces for telecommunications companies to organize their cables.
VECO assured residents and businesses that they will work diligently to avoid power disruptions during wire-clearing operations.
If there are minor inconveniences to traffic, they emphasized that they will primarily take place along the roadside, minimizing impacts.
Right now, they will start to implement the ordinance on major thoroughfares such as Ouano Avenue, MC Briones Street, AS Fortuna Street, AC Cortes Street, and DM Cortes Street.
Moreover, Lucero advised the telecommunications providers with multiple wires to consolidate them, reducing visual clutter and improving aesthetics.
“As much as possible i-minimize nato ang mga wires nga motabok og main road…Giuna g’yud og prioritize ang safety, sunod nalang ang aesthetics,” said Lucero. — (FREEMAN)