Naga City makes move to eliminate ‘spaghetti wires’

Local

A CLEARER, safer, and more organized skyline is on the horizon for the City of Naga, Cebu as it takes a bold step to eliminate the tangled mess of overhead cables.

On February 7, the City Government of Naga launched its single-pole policy, a major initiative aimed at consolidating electric, telecommunications, and water lines onto shared poles.

The move is expected to enhance public safety, streamline infrastructure, and improve the city’s aesthetics.

The policy, outlined in City Ordinance 2024-45, requires that all electricity, telecommunications, and water pipelines be consolidated onto a shared pole system.

Approved in September 2024, the ordinance seeks to eliminate the hazardous and chaotic “spaghetti wires” that have plagued urban areas for years.

Barangay Langtad has been designated as the pilot site for the project.

A Safety and Efficiency Initiative

Mayor Valdemar Chiong emphasized that beyond aesthetics, the project is a public safety measure.

“This is about creating a safer, more efficient city,” he said, noting that unregulated cables pose serious risks to pedestrians, motorists, and utility workers.

By implementing a structured system, the city aims to reduce these dangers while improving the overall urban landscape.

Support from Utility Providers

The initiative has gained strong support from key stakeholders in the utilities sector.

Visayan Electric President and COO Raul Lucero acknowledged the complexity of the task, stating that the extent of scattered wires will determine the scale of the work ahead.

“While the process won’t be easy, we’re fully committed to assisting the city in organizing and streamlining its utility infrastructure,” Lucero said.

To ensure efficient execution, the City Government, through the Office of the Building Official, the City Planning and Development Coordinator, and the City Engineer’s Office, has developed an approved utility installation plan.

This plan, based on wire maps, pole locations, and water line layouts, will guide the installation, restoration, and maintenance of distribution lines.(MyTVCebu)