The Metro Manila Council (MMC) approved in principle a resolution, urging the local government units in Metro Manila to pass an ordinance that would regulate and monitor the installation and maintenance of distribution lines and get rid of dangling wires and “spaghetti” cables over streets in the National Capital Region.
Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Acting Chairman Atty. Don Artes said dangling wires, overloaded poles, and jumbled placement of distribution wires along Metro Manila streets not only have become eyesores but pose danger to the general public’s lives and properties.
“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,” said Artes, who presided the joint Metro Manila Council and Regional Development Council meeting held at the MMDA Head Office in Pasig City where the resolution was discussed.
According to him, Meralco officials raised in the meeting that they cannot just easily remove the wires because they experience difficulty in identifying which are non-operational.
“Temporary disruption of services which results in complaints from affected residents are also among their challenges.”
“Temporary disruption of services which results in complaints from affected residents are also among their challenges,” Artes added.
Prior to cleanup, he said an information drive will be launched to warn the residents ahead of time of any disruption when dangling wires and “spaghetti” cables are to be removed.
Under the MMDA Resolution 24-16 Series of 2024, dangling wires, overloaded poles, and jumbled placement of distribution wires is a common sight in Metro Manila which not only mars the cityscape but pose grave and serious threat to the lives and limbs of the public.
“This long-standing malady needs to be immediately addressed and remedied as a measure of efficient and effective governance for the promotion of the general welfare of the people,” cited in the resolution.
San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora said some of the wires attached to poles are useless and non-operational and can be removed.
“Sa bisa ng mga ordinansa na ipapasa ng mga LGUs, magkakaroon ng coordination kasama ang mga telcos at Meralco upang i-trace sa mga wire na hindi na talaga kailangan.”
“Sa bisa ng mga ordinansa na ipapasa ng mga LGUs, magkakaroon ng coordination kasama ang mga telcos at Meralco upang i-trace sa mga wire na hindi na talaga kailangan at ang itira na lang ay yung mga gumagana pa para makaiwas sa aksidente at sunog,” said Zamora.
Zamora said each LGU can pass their own ordinances to ensure that wires and cables will be regulated and monitored to prevent accidents, citing that San Juan City has been enforcing the City Ordinance No. 65, the “Anti-Dangling Wire Task Force Ordinance since 2020.
Meanwhile, Malabon City Mayor Jeannie Sandoval thanked Artes for repairing the Malabon-Navotas Navigational gate which malfunctioned due to mechanical problems.
More than the repair of the damage, Artes said they are looking for a permanent solution to address the flood problem in the city in coordination with the local government.
