To keep motorists and pedestrians safe from dangling cables, the City of Naga wants utility companies to move their overhead lines underground.
In its regular session on Feb. 6, the City Council of Naga approved an ordinance mandating the "undergrounding" of all overhead utility lines in the city.
The measure was approved by Mayor Kristine Vanessa Chiong on Feb. 15.
The ordinance, though, is still pending comments and recommendations from the Provincial Board after it was referred to the committee on public order and safety on March 4.
“The cluttered look that the current mode of installation brings about suggests a psychologically negative experience for any city dweller and passerby. The creation of a neat, vibrant and livable city is not supported with the existence of the hazardous spaghetti formations overhead our streets. In addition, the significance of the city's heritage assets is diminished with the presence of aerial eyesores that damage the total outlook of the streets,” reads portion of the measure.
The ordinance provides the creation of the Utility Lines Installation Coordinating Committee, which will be under the supervision of the City Engineering Office.
Its primary task is to manage, administer, regulate and control the installation, construction, design and repairs of the underground utility lines distribution system.
Covered under the legislation are any person, corporation, firm or entity that will undertake the installation of electric power lines, telephone and communication lines, and cable-television lines along any public or subdivision road within the city.
Phase I of the implementation includes the promotion of rehabilitation and orderly installation of utility lines within a period of three years upon the approval of the ordinance.
During this period, the removal of cross wires will start once the transfer of cables underground is confirmed.
A study on the possibility of cabling some wire underneath the sidewalk or pavement in marked areas will also happen along with requiring a line separation of at least two feet.
Phase II, on the other hand, will include the partial implementation for underground installation of utility line and implementing a requirement for the use fiber optics.
The third phase will highlight the mandatory grounding of utility lines three years after the approval of the ordinance.
Violators of the ordinance will be penalized with a fine of not more than P5,000 and revocation of local permits. (RTF)