MMC to mayors: Get rid of dangerous ‘spaghetti wires’ on electric posts

MMC to mayors: Get rid of dangerous ‘spaghetti wires’ on electric posts

MANILA, Philippines — A resolution urging Metro Manila local government units (LGUs) to enact ordinances on the proper installation and maintenance of telecommunication and electric wires was approved on Tuesday.

The measure was granted by the Metro Manila Council (MMC) in a meeting to solve the problem of dangling or “spaghetti wires” in the region.

READ: House bill seeks to rid major roads of ‘spaghetti wires’

The resolution will be effective once signed by all mayors in the National Capital Region within the week, said the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

Based on MMDA Resolution Number 24-16, Series of 2024, the LGUs were strongly encouraged to “enact and adopt an ordinance regulating and monitoring the construction, installation and maintenance of distribution lines and other appurtenant structures and assemblies of public utilities within their jurisdiction territory.”

“Maganda po ito sapagkat malaking peligro po talaga ang mga wires na nakikita natin,” said MMC President and San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora in a press conference after the meeting.

(This is good because the wires we see pose huge danger.)

“Ito po ay mga wires ng ating mga telco [telecommunication] companies at networks na nakakabit doon sa mga poste ng Meralco at paglipas ng mga panahon, minsan dekada pa, ay talagang nagpapatung-patong na,” he told reporters.

(These are the wires of our telecom companies and networks that are attached to Meralco’s poles, and over time, sometimes even decades, they really pile up.)

Some of the initiatives that LGUs may undertake is the tracing and removal of unused telecom and electric wires and limiting the number of allowed wires per post, Zamora noted.

READ: Eyes on heavy cables after Binondo pylons’ collapse

Meanwhile, MMDA Chairman Romando Artes revealed that the collapse of the power pylon in Binondo, Manila, in August 2023 was one of the reasons for the creation of the resolution.

The incident injured three people and damaged eight vehicles.

Difficulties in removing “spaghetti wires”

Representatives from Manila Electric Company (Meralco) also attended the meeting to discuss their problems when conducting clearing operations on posts overloaded with wires.

“Kapag nagputol sila, hirap na po i-identity ‘yung mga hindi ginagamit sa sobrang dami,” said Artes, explaining the experiences faced by Meralco.

(When they cut the wires, it becomes difficult to identify the ones not in use because there are so many.)

“Pangalawa, kapag sila po ay naglinis, nagkakaroon po ng temporary disruption sa services like kuryente, internet,” he added.

(Secondly, when they clean up, there is a temporary disruption in services like electricity and internet.)

“So, isa po sa mga suggestions is magkaroon ng information drive in advance para po ma-warn ‘yung ating mga kababayan na magkakaroon ng disruption ng service,” he recommended.

(One suggestion is to have an information drive in advance to warn our fellow citizens that service will be disrupted.)

Artes said each LGU will have its own way of implementing the ordinance, as well as penalties for persons and companies who do not comply.