MMC to create ordinances vs. spaghetti wiring in Metro Manila

The Metro Manila Council is set to discuss regulations on spaghetti wires—electrical or telecommunications cables that accumulate into tangled messes hanging over streets and posing a fire hazard for neighborhoods.

According to a 24 Oras report by Maki Pulido on Thursday, the sheer weight of various intertwined cables in Magsaysay Extension, Barangay New Lower Bicutan in Taguig has caused utility poles to tilt, while open cords in Pagkalinawan Street had already sparked minor fire incidents in the past.

“’Yung mga wire na mga ‘yan, napuputol ‘yan… Madami na naputol diyan. So, na pe-perwisyo yung mga bahay na napuputulan,” said resident Ramsey Lomepena.

(These wires break… A lot of them have already broken. And the houses are inconvenienced when they get cut off.)

“Minsan nagsiklab na yan, pati dito. Buti maraming nagtulong-tulong para maano [ng] mga damit, para mapatay yung usok,” added another resident, Myrna Elambo.

(Sometimes it sparks, even here. It’s a good thing a lot of people joined together… using clothes to control the smoke.)

According to residents, most of the cables are from telecommunications companies that keep adding to the pile.

The Bureau of Fire Protection said that they will begin an investigation into the matter, as open wires may cause fires.

"It can contribute sa mabilis na pagkalat dahil probably meron din 'yan conductors sa loob ng wirings nila and once masunog nga 'yung pinaka-balat so open siya, maaaring dumaloy 'yung kuryente po,” said BFP spokesperson Fire Senior Superintendent Annalee Carvajal Atienza.

(They can contribute to the quick spread because they probably also have conductors inside the wirings, and once the covering burns off, electricity might flow through it.)

Meanwhile, the Metro Manila Council is discussing ordinances to regulate these telecommunications cables.

“Napag-usapan na po namin ito minsan sa MMC. Nagkasundo ang mga mayor at representatives na sa kanya kanyang lungsod ay makipag ugnayan na sa iba’t-ibang telcos,” said San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora.

(We’ve talked about this before at the MMC. The mayors and representatives agreed that they will coordinate with different telcos for their respective areas.)

Meralco said it is in coordination with local government units, telecommunication companies and cable companies to organize cables connected to their respective poles. — Jiselle Anne C. Casucian/BM, GMA Integrated News