Use only metal, concrete poles

CEBU, Philippines —  All private and public utility firms will soon be required to phase out all old and/or dilapidated wooden poles or posts that pose danger to the public in Cebu City.

This, if the proposed ordinance of City Councilor Jerry Guardo will be passed by the City Council and will get the final stamp from Mayor Edgardo Labella.

“Aside from being an eyesore, the old wooden poles/posts with hanging heavy and spaghetti wires and cables endanger the life and property of the constituents for which the City may be liable should any accident or damage occur,” read a portion of the proposed measure.

In his proposal, Guardo said utility companies are encouraged to observe one pole policy unless the utility company has area of concern, so as to avoid great damage and injury to the public.

Failure to comply with the provision of the changing from wooden poles to concrete or metal poles would be fined of P100 per pole or post per day as per the inventory of the posts or poles by the city’s Department of Public Services (DPS).

As for any person who will alter, modify or remove the cable wire used to support overhead utility post without written authority from the company concerned has to pay P5,000 fine and will be imprisoned for a period of six months or at the discretion of the court.

“All utilities are given the period of three years from date of effectivity of this ordinance to totally phase out wooden poles/posts and remove redundant poles/posts on the major thoroughfares,” read a portion of the proposed ordinance.

Section 3 states that all utility companies shall commence the phase out of old and dilapidated wooden poles along the 47 major thoroughfares in Cebu City like Sergio Osmeña Boulevard, Colon Street, Gorordo Avenue, Legaspi Extension, P. Del Rosario Street, Jakosalem Street, General Arcadio Maxilom Avenue, Juan Luna Street, N. Escario Street, among others.

The removal of the redundant and/or dilapidated poles should be done from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. to avoid disturbing the traffic flow.

Guardo said the thoroughfares not mentioned in the measure should remove the redundant poles or posts within two years from effectivity of this ordinance.

“Property taken or destroyed by the utility company in the implementation of its projects for development and general welfare shall be paid just compensation which will be determined by the lot owner and utility company involved taking into consideration the area taken, property damaged, assessed value and general welfare,” the proposed measure further read.

In the previous years, the dangling wires which were snagged by trailer trucks caused the death of some city’s residents.

The proposed ordinance is still being studied by the council’s committee on laws, ordinances, and styling for its comments and recommendations.  — GAN (FREEMAN)