Metro Manila LGUs urged to create ordinances vs. spaghetti wirings

The Metro Manila Council has approved in principle a resolution encouraging local government units in Metro Manila to pass ordinances that would regulate and monitor the installation of dangling wires and overhead cables to prevent possible hazards. 

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Resolution Number 24-16, Series of 2024 was discussed during a meeting between the MMC and the MMDA on Tuesday. 

MMDA chairperson Don Artes pointed out during the meeting that there were instances that a street post fell under the weight of “spaghetti wirings” caused traffic congestion, the report said. 

“Noong isang araw ay may bumagsak na poste dahil sa salasalabat na wire at nagdulot ng mabigat na trapiko. Walang nakadaan dahil nakaharang sa daan... Kailangan nang maiwasan ang ganito para hindi na umabot sa pagkawala ng buhay,” he said. 

(A post recently fell down because of the entangled wires and it caused traffic congestion. No one could pass because the road was blocked…We need to avoid this kind of situation from happening again so that lives will not be lost.) 

Several localities already have existing ordinances to manage entangled cables such as in San Juan City and Valenzuela City.  

The officials present during the meeting also agreed to the conduct of an information drive before dangling cables are cleared to warn residents of possible service interruptions. 

Bulacan Representatives Salvador Pleyto Sr. earlier filed a bill that would require public utility providers must bundle up their sagging and dangling aerial utility wires, remove all non-operational or unused wires and cables, and relocate or replace post adhering to the specified allowable clearance of aerial wires and cables. 

In February, Senator Raffy Tulfo filed a resolution seeking a probe of the frequent road accidents due to the mishandling and improper maintenance of live wires and unattended wires. — Vince Angelo Ferreras/BAP, GMA Integrated News