Spaghetti wires are threat to safety, eyesore in Metro Manila

The cable wires, many hanging loosely, from street posts pose as serious threats to the safety of pedestrians and residents in some parts of Metro Manila.

In an episode of GMA News TV's Brigada, Cesar Apolinario reported about the situation in Isla Puting Bato in Tondo, Manila where electric cable wires are obstructing the way.

"Nahihirapan po talaga 'yung mga residente namin dito dahil unang-una, syempre 'yung kasiguraduhan din ng mga nakatira dito, dahil katulad nga niyan na talagang super baba na," said Rebecca Sanchez, a purok leader in the area.

The wires have gone down below their original installation height after some residents tampered with these when they encounter electrical problems, she added.

A 68-year-old carpenter living in the compound almost lost his life after the roof of the "kuliglig" vehicle he was riding got entangled with the drooping wires.

"Pinahinto ng driver dahil mapuputol 'yung kuryente. Kung tinuluy-tuloy niya, mapuputol 'yung kuryente, patay kami," the victim Roberto Aday said.

On the other hand, this danger doesn't seem to bother the residents of Barangay Damayang Lagi in Quezon City where convoluted electric cable wires also abound.

They casually hang their clothes on the wires.

"Pag dito kami sa loob ng bahay nagsampay walang masyadong araw tapos pag nagluto pa kami, nangangamoy kung anong ulam namin kaya pag ano dito namin sinasampay kasi naaarawan," resident Lorna Danes said.

Meralco spokesperson Joe Zaldarriaga warned the public against this practice.

"Wag na ho nating gawin 'yan lalo na we cannot mix electricity with water so kung basa yung damit at masampay mo, live wire pala, eh baka maaksidente ka. Malamang kaysa sa hindi, so iwas na lang po tayo," he said.

Zaldarriaga also noted that not all these wires are from the electric company. Some, he said, are used for telecommunication, cable and internet connections.

"Unang-una ho sa height pa lang may pagkakaiba na. 'Yung Meralco lines stand alone 25 feet. Usually 'yung mga attachments ranging around 15 feet po iyon so makikita mo talaga yung difference," he added.

Meanwhile, a concerned netizen also uploaded a video of a footbridge affected by the same problem.

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) spokesperson Celine Pialago said the said overpass was supposed to be closed to the pedestrians due to pending removal of the wires.

Some people, however, have managed to illegally pass through it, she added.

Authorities have already taken action to make the footbridge safely passable.

Eyesore

Aside from posing threats to safety, the tangled wires also serve as "eyesores," according to urban planner, Architect Felino Palafox Jr.

"Yung mga kable, overhead wires, visual pollution eh, eyesore, hindi magandang tingnan so kaya nasisira 'yung urban landscape. It's not safe kasi during storms and typhoons napuputol sila, it falls to the ground kaya minsan tumatama sa mga bahay. It's really dangerous," he said.

He suggested the use of submarine quality cables that would be installed underground and could withstand flooding.

Palafox said that stronger political will of the national and local officials is needed to implement such shift.

Some from the electric power industry, on the other hand, pointed out that this proposal would entail additional cost to customers.

"At the end of the day, you also have to be cognizant of what the consumers will be able to afford," Zaldarriaga said. — Dona Magsino/BAP, GMA News